What was one of the major weaknesses of the Articles of Conf

What was one of the major weaknesses of the articles of conf - HiSET Prep

Question

What was one of the major weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation that led to the creation of the U.S. Constitution?

Answers

correct

The national government lacked power to enforce laws or collect taxes effectively.
The states had too little authority over trade and local governance.
The president had too much influence over state legislatures.
The judiciary could overrule decisions made by Congress.

Explanation

The Correct Answer is: A. The national government lacked power to enforce laws or collect taxes effectively

Under the Articles of Confederation, the federal government was extremely weak. It could not enforce laws, regulate trade, or collect taxes, leaving it dependent on states for revenue and enforcement. This lack of central authority created economic instability and political disunity, motivating the Founding Fathers to draft the U.S. Constitution, which strengthened national governance and established a more balanced federal system.

Why the other options are incorrect:

B. The states had too little authority over trade and local governance
The opposite was true—states had too much independence. They controlled their own trade policies and often acted like separate nations, leading to economic conflicts and inefficiencies. The Constitution later balanced state and federal powers to create national unity while preserving local authority.
C. The president had too much influence over state legislatures
Under the Articles of Confederation, there was no president or chief executive. All power rested in a single legislative body, the Confederation Congress. The absence of an executive branch was actually a key weakness that the Constitution corrected.
D. The judiciary could overrule decisions made by Congress
The Articles of Confederation did not establish a national judiciary at all. Disputes between states or citizens were left unresolved or handled inconsistently, prompting the creation of a federal court system under the Constitution.