Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation – Predict the Problems
Weaknesses
No Chief Executive – Congress used committees to get their work accomplished
Passing a law took approval of 9 of the 13 states Amending the document required approval of 13 of the 13 states Congress could request the states pay taxes, but they couldn’t force them to pay. Congress could borrow money. Congress possessed no power to control commerce – foreign or domestic Congress could make treaties but had no power to require the states to follow them Congress could make laws but had no power to force the states to abide by them No National court system |
Predict the Outcome
There was no one to solve the problem. It was very hard to get any work done.
Not everyone was able to get what they want. It was almost impossible to make amendments. Congress was unable to get money. States would have problems trading amongst themselves. The states would not follow treaties. No states would follow the law. There were conflicts concerning issues among different states. |