The government created by the Articles of Confederation was intentionally designed to be weak. The framers of the Articles were primarily concerned with avoiding a powerful central authority that could threaten the independence and sovereignty of the individual states, as they had just broken away from the strong rule of the British monarchy.
Structure and Intent
The Articles established a confederation, meaning that most power remained with the states while the central government was given only limited authority. The national government could conduct foreign affairs, make war and peace, and resolve disputes between states, but it had no power to tax, regulate commerce, or enforce its own laws. All major decisions required approval from a supermajority or even unanimity among the states, further restricting central authority.
Key Weaknesses
- No power to tax: The government could only request money from the states, making it financially insecure.
- No power to regulate trade: Individual states retained control over commerce, leading to conflicting policies.
- No executive or judiciary: There was no president or national court system, weakening national leadership and the ability to enforce laws.
- Difficult to amend: Amendments required unanimous state approval, making change nearly impossible.
Rationale
The weakness was by design—rooted in fears of tyranny and central abuse of power. The Articles reflected a deliberate effort to preserve state sovereignty, even at the cost of national unity and effectiveness. The resulting government proved insufficient for managing national issues, ultimately leading to its replacement by the U.S. Constitution.
In summary, the government under the Articles of Confederation was intended to be weak, and this weakness was both deliberate and a key factor in its eventual failure.
