1. Weak Central Authority: The Articles of Confederation created a very weak central government with limited powers. The Continental Congress, the primary governing body, could only make recommendations to the states, and it had no power to enforce its decisions or levy taxes. This lack of a strong central authority made it difficult to address critical issues affecting the entire nation.
2. Lack of Executive Power: Under the Articles of Confederation, there was no separate executive branch. Instead, the executive powers were vested in a committee called the Committee of the States, which rotated among state delegates. This rotating leadership lacked continuity and often led to inconsistent policies.
3. Unanimous Voting Requirement: The Articles of Confederation required unanimous approval from all states for any amendment to be passed. This made it extremely difficult to make changes or adapt to new situations, as even a single state could block proposals that were supported by the majority.
4. Inability to Regulate Commerce: The central government had no authority to regulate interstate and international commerce. Each state could set its trade regulations, leading to conflicting policies that disrupted trade and commerce.
5. Inability to Raise Funds: The Articles of Confederation did not grant the federal government the power to levy taxes. It had to rely on voluntary contributions from the states, which were often unreliable and insufficient to meet the nation's financial needs.
6. No Uniform Currency: Each state was free to issue its paper money, leading to a chaotic monetary system with varying values and widespread counterfeiting.
7. Weak Judiciary: The Articles of Confederation did not establish a national judicial system. Instead, each state had its court system, leading to inconsistent legal interpretations and a lack of uniformity in enforcing the law.
8. Lack of Power to Enforce Treaties: The central government could negotiate treaties with foreign nations, but it had no power to enforce them. This resulted in limited influence on the international stage and difficulty resolving conflicts.
9. Lack of Defense and National Security: The Articles of Confederation left the responsibility for defense and national security to the states. This resulted in a lack of coordination and resources to address external threats.
10. Inability to Address Internal Conflicts: The Articles of Confederation did not provide an effective mechanism to resolve conflicts or disputes between states. It also failed to address issues like territorial claims and westward expansion.
11. Representation Based on States, Not Population: Each state, regardless of its size or population, had one vote in the Continental Congress. This gave smaller states disproportionate power and influence compared to larger states.
Due to these weaknesses, the Articles of Confederation proved to be ineffective in governing the United States effectively. The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was convened to address these shortcomings, resulting in the creation of a new federal Constitution that established a stronger, more efficient, and enduring form of government for the young nation.