Articles of Confederation
Designed as a confederation of powerful states
united by a weak national government that was capable of making war, negotiating diplomatic
agreements, and resolving issues regarding the western territories, but where the states retained sovereignty over all governmental functions not specifically relinquished to the national government. There was no president, no executive agency, no judiciary, and no taxes (therefore no way to pay off state and national debts from the war).
Weaknesses included:
Weaknesses included:
- a unicameral legislature with no separation of powers
- a weak central (federal) government where most power lay with the states
- a Congress that did not have the power to tax or enforce laws or regulate commerce
- an awkward amendment process that required unanimous approval of the states and 9 of 13 states approval to pass major laws
- It also lacked an executive branch and a national identity