The Articles of Confederation reflected something of an over-reaction to the perceived tyranny of placing too much power in the hands of the British government. Thus the pendulum swung to the position of making the states supreme over the national government.

To avoid any perception of “taxation without representation,” the Articles of Confederation allowed only state governments to levy taxes. To pay for its expenses, the national government had to request money from the states. Foreign governments were reluctant to loan money to a nation that might never repay it.

Fear of Strong Central Government The Articles made the national Congress weak on purpose. Having just won independence from Britain, many Americans feared that creating a strong federal government with too much authority over the states would only replace King George III with another tyrant.

In order to protect against tyranny by either the state or national governments, the Constitution provided for federalism, a system of checks and balances, separation of powers and balance of power between the small and large states in order to ensure no single institution would have excess power.

Terms in this set (8)

• No Chief Executive.
• Laws needed approval by all thirteen states to be passed.
• Congress did not have the power to tax citizens.
• Congress could not draft an army.
• No national court system.
• Any changes to the constitution must be approved by all thirteen states.

The Articles of Confederation created a national government composed of a Congress, which had the power to declare war, appoint military officers, sign treaties, make alliances, appoint foreign ambassadors, and manage relations with Indians. Under the Articles, the states, not Congress, had the power to tax.

One feature of the Articles of Confederation was that Congress did not have the power to settle disputes among states. The Articles guaranteed that each state would keep its individual power, freedom, and independence.

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.

13 states

They were written to after the south had seceded from the union. They were the foundation of the confederate states. They had shortcomings because the states had been given almost all of the power, with a weak federal government.