Mr. Kersey.org - Mr. Kersey's Lecture Notes

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

(Lecture Notes from Mr. Kersey's 8th Grade U.S. History Class)

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and Their Effects
Weakness Effect of Weakness

Congress had no power to tax the states. National government was always short of money.

Congress had no power to control interstate commerce or foreign trade. Trade disputes arose among the states. Arranging fair trade with foreign nations was difficult.

Laws required a "yes" vote from at least nine states to pass. Effective laws were difficult to pass.

Amendments to the articles required the consent of all thirteen states. The powers of Congress could not be (realistically) changed in any meaningful way.

Congress had no power to enforce its laws. Congress relied upon the states to enforce laws.

There was no national court system. There was no effective way of settling disputes among the states, or of interpreting laws.

There was no executive branch. Congress had no one to efficiently carry out its laws and policies.

Weakness	Effect of Weakness
Congress had no power to tax the states.	National government was always short of money.
Congress had no power to control interstate commerce or foreign trade.	Trade disputes arose among the states. Arranging fair trade with foreign nations was difficult.
Laws required a "yes" vote from at least nine states to pass.	Effective laws were difficult to pass.
Amendments to the articles required the consent of all thirteen states.	The powers of Congress could not be (realistically) changed in any meaningful way.
Congress had no power to enforce its laws.	Congress relied upon the states to enforce laws.
There was no national court system.	There was no effective way of settling disputes among the states, or of interpreting laws.
There was no executive branch.	Congress had no one to efficiently carry out its laws and policies.