1. Weak Central Government: The Articles of Confederation created a very weak central government with limited power. The federal government could not levy taxes, regulate interstate commerce, or enforce laws effectively. This made it difficult to address national issues and coordinate policies across states.
2. Lack of Executive Branch: The Articles of Confederation did not establish a separate executive branch. Instead, the executive powers were vested in a committee called the Committee of the States, which was made up of representatives from each state. This system was ineffective and often led to gridlock and delays in decision-making.
3. Unfair Representation: The Articles of Confederation gave each state an equal vote in Congress regardless of its population size. This meant that small states had the same power as large states, even though they represented a smaller portion of the population. This arrangement was seen as unfair by larger states, who felt they should have a greater say in the government.
4. Inability to Resolve Disputes: The Articles of Confederation did not provide an effective mechanism for resolving disputes between states. This led to conflicts and tensions among states, which threatened the stability and unity of the country.
5. Amendments Required Unanimous Consent: The Articles of Confederation required unanimous consent from all states to make amendments. This made it nearly impossible to change or improve the government, as even a single state could block any proposed amendments.
6. Financial Problems: The federal government under the Articles of Confederation struggled to finance its operations. It could not collect taxes directly and had to rely on voluntary contributions from states, which were often unreliable and insufficient. This made it difficult to cover expenses and pay debts, leading to financial instability.
Overall, the weaknesses and limitations of the Articles of Confederation government made it difficult for the United States to function effectively as a nation and address the challenges it faced. The desire for a stronger and more efficient government led to the creation of the Constitution, which replaced the Articles of Confederation in 1789.