What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Answer 1

Under the Articles of Confederation the American colonists fought and defeated Great Britain and gained independence. By the end of the "Confederation era," Congress had created a bureaucracy to administer the day-to-day affairs of the government. The issue over the western lands was solved under the Articles. The large states holding vast amounts of western land ceded the land to the government under the Articles so that all the states could share in the wealth of those lands. The Northwest Ordinances were passed that provided for the creation of equal, self governing states in the Northwest Territories and the newly created states would have the same rights and privileges as the original 13 states. Congress also provided for a survey of the western lands to prepare the land for sale to all.

Under the Articles, the states were held together until a new government under the Constitution was created. The new nation began to emerge as one respecting the ideas that had caused the Revolutionary War in the first place.

The Articles of Confederation created a weak national government with most of the governmental powers retained by the states. The Articles provided no separation of branches. There was no president or any other independent executive, nor was there a federal judicial branch. Congress, the legislature, was the only branch of government. Laws required unanimous votes. Members elected to congress did not vote as individuals, but as states. While congress did have some powers, it could not enforce its laws on the states or the people. States were permitted to coin their own money. There was no regulation of commerce between the states and states could even enter into treaties with foreign nations and declare war, "with the consent of Congress." Congress could not tax the states or the people, it could only request funds to run the government.

Answer 2

There was no judicial or executive branches for the national government. Therefore, the states had more power, being able to create laws, enforce them, and interpret the laws. Each of the states had different monetary bills and coins, meaning trade with other states and nations was harder than it is today under the Constitution. Finally, the nation, which was sunder debt from the war, could not tax the thirteen colonies.

Answer 3

There was no judicial or executive branches for the national government. Therefore, the states had more power, being able to create laws, enforce them, and interpret the laws. Each of the states had different monetary bills and coins, meaning trade with other states and nations was harder than it is today under the Constitution. Finally, the nation, which was sunder debt from the war, could not tax the thirteen colonies.

Answer 4

The weaknesses of The Articles of Confederation were that they formed no strong central government, taxes were optional, had no set currency, and that many farmers revolted from high taxes. The strengths were the Northwest Ordinance and the Land Ordinance of 1785.

The Articles of Confedaration had many more weaknesses than strengths.
Weaknesses:
No president.
No army.
No federal court.
No unified currency.
No control over disputes between states.
No control over trade between states.

Strength:
Retained power in the states as the more responsive level of government

Answer 5

There was no judicial or executive branches for the national government. Therefore, the states had more power, being able to create laws, enforce them, and interpret the laws. Each of the states had different monetary bills and coins, meaning trade with other states and nations was harder than it is today under the Constitution. Finally, the nation, which was sunder debt from the war, could not tax the thirteen colonies.