Lack of Executive Authority: The Articles did not establish a separate executive branch, making it difficult to enforce laws and regulations. The president of the Congress had limited powers and could not act independently.
Single House Legislature: The Congress was a unicameral legislature, meaning there was only one house. This made it more susceptible to factions and interest groups and often led to gridlock and inaction.
Limited Power of Taxation: The Congress could not levy taxes directly on individuals or states. Instead, it had to rely on voluntary contributions from the states, which proved insufficient to meet the financial needs of the government.
Inability to Regulate Commerce: The Articles did not give Congress the authority to regulate interstate or international commerce, leading to trade disputes among the states and a lack of economic coordination.
No Power to Make Treaties: The Confederation Congress lacked the authority to negotiate and ratify treaties with foreign countries. This hindered the nation's ability to conduct foreign relations effectively.
Difficulty in Amending the Articles: The Articles required unanimous approval from all states to make amendments, making it virtually impossible to address weaknesses and make necessary changes to the governing document.
Dependence on State Governments: The Articles left most of the power with individual states, leading to a lack of cohesion and cooperation between the states. This made it difficult for the central government to address national issues and concerns effectively.
As a result of these inefficiencies, the Confederation Congress struggled to govern the nation effectively and maintain unity among the states. The weaknesses of the Articles eventually led to the formation of a stronger central government under the Constitution of the United States in 1789.