1.4 Challenges of the Articles of Confederation

A weak national government

The Articles of Confederation (1781) created a loose alliance of sovereign states with a weak central government. Congress could declare war, make treaties, and coin money, but had no power to tax or regulate interstate commerce, and there was no executive or national judiciary to enforce laws.

Structural problems cause crisis

Each state had one vote regardless of size, and amending the Articles required unanimous consent of all 13 states, making change nearly impossible. Congress could only request funds from states, which often ignored these requests, leaving the government unable to pay debts or raise an army.

Shays' Rebellion exposes weakness

Shays' Rebellion (1786-87), an armed uprising of indebted Massachusetts farmers protesting foreclosures and taxes, revealed the national government's inability to respond to internal unrest since it had no power to raise an army or funds. This crisis convinced leaders that a stronger central government was needed, leading to the Constitutional Convention.

Key terms

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. governing document (1781) that created a weak national government with limited powers, favoring state sovereignty.

Key weaknesses of the Articles

No power to tax, no national executive or judiciary, no regulation of interstate commerce, and unanimous consent needed to amend.

One state, one vote

Under the Articles, each state had equal representation in Congress regardless of population size.

Shays' Rebellion

1786-87 uprising of Massachusetts farmers protesting debt and taxation; exposed the national government's inability to maintain order, spurring calls for a stronger government.

Unanimous consent requirement

All 13 states had to agree to amend the Articles, making necessary reforms nearly impossible to achieve.

Try an AP-style question

Which weakness of the Articles does this reveal?

1. An oversized standing army
2. Too strong an executive
3. Too many federal courts
4. No power to raise troops or taxes