Question

The Articles of Confederation had many weaknesses. Match the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation to their results.

Answer 1

Matching weaknesses to results:

No strong leadership existed in the form of a president.

• Many other nations took advantage of the  absence of a strong central government.

No provisions were made for a national court.

• There was no authority to make the  states comply with Congressional laws.

Congress was not allowed to raise money through taxes.

• Congress had to borrow funds from  foreign governments.

Congress couldn’t control interstate commerce.

• Trade disputes arose between states.

Historical context:

The Articles of Confederation created a strong legislative branch, a weak executive branch, and no judicial branch.

The states themselves had judicial and executive branches, but on the national level, the Articles of Confederation really gave all the power to Congress, the legislative branch.  There would be a President as an executive officer, but he was chosen from a Committee of the States that was appointed by Congress.  The American colonists, in forming the new nation, had initially shown much concern about limiting any executive branch power, fearing it would become like the king of Britain had been in wielding excessive power.

The Articles of Confederation were not sufficient for managing the challenges of forming a new nation, and were ultimately replaced with the Constitution of the United States.

Answer 2

Here are the correct answers

1) Many other nations took advantage of the absence of a strong central government- This was due to the fact that there was no strong leadership existed in the form of a president. When making this constitution, Americans feared that a president would be too much like a King.

2)There was no authority to make the states comply with Congressional laws-No provisions were made for a national court.

3) Congress had to borrow founds from foreign governments-Congress was not allowed to raise money through taxes. This lack of ability to tax was caused by American citizens anger towards taxation without representation, something they encountered while under the control of Great Britain.

4) Trade disputes arose between states- Congress couldn't control interstate commerece.