Strengths of AoC
- landmark in government
- provided loose confederation (at least some disjointed unity)
- kept alive the ideal of Union, held states together until they were ready to implement a strong constitution
- congress still effective in passing land laws (Land Ordinance of 1785, Northwest Ordinance)
Negatives of AoC
- Congress was extremely weak: no power to regulate commerce, states left free to establish laws that were different and in conflict with one another (tariffs, navigation)
- no tax-collection program.