Question

What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of

Confederation, the first central government of the United States?

Answer 1

Strengths

• Congress could declare war, and start an army and navy
• They could make peace and sign treaties.
• They can borrow money.

• They can organize a post office.

Weaknesses

• They had no power to draft soldiers.
• They had no power to enforce treaties
• They couldn't raise taxes to pay borrowed money back
• They had no chief executive
• They had no national court system
• They had no power to regulate interstate commerce (trade)
• They had no national currency
• It was difficult to pass laws
• They needed a unanimous vote to change articles