What are three problems with the Articles of Confederation?

Asked by: Bill Spinka  |  Last update: February 8, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (12 votes)

Three major problems with the Articles of Confederation were the weak central government that couldn't enforce laws or raise taxes, the inability to regulate commerce between states and with foreign nations, and the lack of an executive or judicial branch, leading to unresolved disputes and a dysfunctional system. This structure left states acting like independent countries, struggling to manage national debt and defense.

What are the three problems with the Articles of Confederation?

With the passage of time, weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation became apparent; Congress commanded little respect and no support from state governments anxious to maintain their power. Congress could not raise funds, regulate trade, or conduct foreign policy without the voluntary agreement of the states.

What are 5 reasons the Articles of Confederation failed?

10 reasons why America's first constitution failed

  • The states didn't act immediately. ...
  • The central government was designed to be very, very weak. ...
  • The Articles Congress only had one chamber and each state had one vote. ...
  • Congress needed 9 of 13 states to pass any laws. ...
  • The document was practically impossible to amend.

What were three weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

It had become clear the US government's inability to impose taxes, regulate commerce, or raise an army hindered its ability to defend the nation or pay its debts. To find a solution, members of Congress called for a revision of the Articles of Confederation.

What was the main issue of the Articles of Confederation?

They sought to create a government subordinate to the states with power sufficiently checked to prevent the kind of infringements that Americans had experienced under British rule. Congress debated the Articles with these concerns in mind, and it approved the final draft of the Articles on November 15, 1777.

The Articles of Confederation

42 related questions found

What are the 5 main weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation had five main weaknesses: a weak central government, no executive branch, no national court system, lack of power to regulate trade, and difficulty in amending the Articles. These limitations made it challenging for the federal government to effectively govern the new nation.

What were four problems created by the Articles of Confederation?

Lack of national leadership took various forms.

  • No independent judiciary. The Articles of Confederation offered no system of courts in the jurisdiction of the national government. ...
  • No foreign affairs head. ...
  • Inability to deal with internal and external threats.

What was the biggest problem with the Articles?

One of the central weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation was its lack of a strong central government, which severely hampered the United States' ability to conduct foreign affairs effectively. The Articles granted Congress the authority to negotiate treaties, declare war, and manage foreign relations.

What replaced the Articles of Confederation?

The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land in the United States of America and is the world's longest surviving charter of government. It replaced the Articles of Confederation which served as the United States' first constitution.

How were the Articles of Confederation flawed?

But the Articles of Confederation were weak and defective: The primary problem was a powerless federal authority, a government that was more like a union of independent nations than a single, unified country. Instead of a strong, peaceful country, the states fought one another with limited respect for the rule of law.

What were two failures of the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation had several weaknesses, including the following: The national government was too weak to collect taxes or regulate commerce because it could only ask states for funds to carry out its duties and not compel states to pay.

What are the disadvantages of a Confederation?

A significant disadvantage of a confederal system is that it often results in a weak central government, which can lead to instability and the potential for the confederation to disband. This was evident in the United States under the Articles of Confederation, where the central government lacked authority.

What happened to the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation were adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777. This document served as the United States' first constitution. It was in force from March 1, 1781, until 1789 when the present-day Constitution went into effect.

What were the three Articles of Confederation?

Article 1: Created the name of the combined 13 states as The United States of America. Article 2: State governments still had their own powers that were not listed in the Articles of Confederation. Article 3: The combined states were responsible for helping to protect each other from attacks.

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

  • Strength 1. Congress could declare war, and start an army and navy.
  • Strength 2. They could make peace and sign treaties.
  • Strength 3. They can borrow money.
  • Strength 4. They can organize a post office.
  • Weakness 1. They had no power to draft soldiers.
  • Weakness 2. They had no power to enforce treaties.
  • Weakness 3. ...
  • Weakness 4.

Why was it so hard to amend the Articles?

To ensure it would last, the framers made amending the document a difficult task. That difficulty was obvious recently when supporters of congressional term limits and a balanced budget amendment were not successful in getting the new amendments they wanted.

What does "ratified" mean?

To ratify means to approve or enact a legally binding act that would not otherwise be binding in the absence of such approval. In the constitutional context, nations may ratify an amendment to an existing or adoption of a new constitution.

What was the US called before 1776?

Before 1776, the land that became the United States was known as British America, a collection of distinct colonies, often called the "United Colonies" (or "United Colonies of North America") by the colonists themselves, who identified more with their specific colony than a unified nation. The name "United States of America" first appeared in the Declaration of Independence in July 1776, officially adopted by the Second Continental Congress in September 1776.
 

Who actually wrote the Constitution?

Because of James Madison's crucial role in crafting much of the Constitution, he is often referred to as the “Father of the Constitution.” His notes of the proceedings, which were held in secret, also have provided valuable insights into the drafting process.

What are three problems of the Articles of Confederation?

Three major problems with the Articles of Confederation were the weak central government, inability to tax or regulate commerce, and lack of an executive or judicial branch, leading to financial chaos, interstate disputes, and difficulty enforcing laws, famously highlighted by Shays's Rebellion. 

Why did Articles of Confederation fail?

So, the reason the Articles of Confederation "failed" in the eyes of the "founding fathers", is because it did not create a state strong enough to protect them, their wealth and their political power from the anger of the lower class people they were ruling over.

What was the biggest weakness under the Articles of Confederation?

No Power to Tax or Regulate Trade: One of the most significant weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation was the central government's inability to levy taxes or regulate interstate commerce. It heavily relied on voluntary contributions from the states, which often led to funding shortages and financial instability.

What were the 5 issues of the Articles of Confederation?

When the 55 delegates gathered in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation, there were several major issues on the agenda to discuss including representation, state versus federal powers, executive power, slavery, and commerce.

How did the constitution fix the Articles of Confederation?

One of the most significant changes between the Articles of Confederation and Constitution was the creation of the three branches of government: the executive, legislative, and judicial. This separation of powers ensured that power would not be concentrated in one particular branch.

Was the Articles of Confederation successful?

The Articles of Confederation were doomed by their perceived structural weakness.