Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Weakness: 9 out of 13 states had to agree on a law before it was passed.

Problem: Congress had trouble passing laws.

Weakness: There was NO executive official.

Problem: There was no one to ensure that laws were carried out.

Weakness: There was NO judicial branch.

Problem: Without national courts, there were no means of interpreting laws or carrying out justice.

Weakness: The Articles of Confederation could not be changed without a unanimous vote.

Problem: Difficulty changing the Articles of Confederation when a problem was noticed.

Weakness: Congress lacked power to collect taxes.

Problem: The country had problems paying off war debt, running government, maintaining a military, or building roads or canals.

Weakness: The government could not control trade between the states.

Problem: States imposed tariffs on one another.

Weakness: Each state had its own currency (money).

Problem: There was no stable national currency. Trade between states was difficult.