Congress (the central government) was made up of delegates chosen by the states and could conduct foreign affairs, make treaties, declare war, maintain an army and a navy, coin money, and establish post offices.

Why did the Continental Congress make the federal government weak when it drew up the Articles of Confederation? It created limited central government, it had just one branch,and Congress could not regulate trade or tax so they had to ask the 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.

Shay’s Rebellion showed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. When the central government couldn’t put down the rebellion, the first stirrings of federalism began to gather strength. The government gave most powers to the states, and the central government consisted only of a legislature.

Two days later, the Continental Congress sent the Articles to the states, which approved the new government in March 1781. Created to unify the 13 colonies, the Articles nevertheless established a largely decentralized government that vested most power in the states and in the national legislature.

-Articles of Confederation. -established a weak central government and the states kept most of their power. -only one branch of government.

Under the Articles of Confederation, the states had more power than the federal government. For example, the States decided how much money they would pay in taxes, so as a result the government did not get a lot of income from the states. The national government did not have the power to tax or enforce laws.

Under the Articles, the states, not Congress, had the power to tax. You just studied 25 terms!

The Articles of Confederation created a Nation that was “a league of friendship and perpetual union,” but it was the state governments that had most of the power under the Articles, with little power given to the central government.

• Congress had limited powers, could pass laws but 9 states had to approve before they went into effect.
• no power to tax or regular trade between states & foreign countries.
• to raise money, Congress had to ask for it.
• no president to execute laws and states had to enforce laws (no system of Courts)

What couldn’t Congress do under the Articles of Confederation? Congress could not regulate trade, force citizens to join the army, or collect taxes. To raise money and troops, Congress could ask the states, but they were not required to contribute.

Federalism limits government by creating two sovereign powers—the national government and state governments—thereby restraining the influence of both. Separation of powers imposes internal limits by dividing government against itself, giving different branches separate functions and forcing them to share power.

Main Findings

So long as their laws do not contradict national laws, state governments can prescribe policies on commerce, taxation, healthcare, education, and many other issues within their state. Notably, both the states and the federal government have the power to tax, make and enforce laws, charter banks, and borrow money.