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6. Overall the Articles of Confederation were considered a failure due to its many weaknesses. State I weakness as it relates to each of the following topics: a. Trade: couldnt make tranding a tole b. Money:both federal and state governet were allowd to make there encoranky, sotlay can tade noray c. Taxation: Coubdent taxstates orcitizens d. One-State One-Vote policy: e. Government figurehead: f. Passing Laws:

Ask by Brewer Barber. in the United States
Jan 22,2025

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**Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation:** a. **Trade:** Couldn't regulate interstate and international trade effectively. b. **Money:** Both federal and state governments could issue their own currencies, leading to a lack of a stable national currency. c. **Taxation:** Federal government couldn't levy taxes directly on citizens, resulting in insufficient revenue. d. **One-State One-Vote Policy:** Each state had equal voting power in Congress, giving smaller states too much influence. e. **Government Figurehead:** No strong executive branch to enforce laws and oversee national policies. f. **Passing Laws:** Major legislation required unanimous consent from all thirteen states, causing legislative paralysis. These weaknesses made the Articles of Confederation ineffective and led to the need for a stronger federal government as outlined in the Constitution.

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Certainly! Below are the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation related to each specified topic: ### a. Trade **Weakness:** The federal government lacked the authority to regulate interstate and international trade. - **Explanation:** Under the Articles of Confederation, each state could establish its own trade policies, impose tariffs on goods from other states, and negotiate separate trade agreements with foreign nations. This led to economic fragmentation, trade disputes between states, and difficulty in presenting a unified front in international trade negotiations. ### b. Money **Weakness:** Both the federal government and individual states could issue their own currencies. - **Explanation:** The ability for multiple entities to print their own money resulted in a lack of a stable national currency. This caused confusion, inflation, and a lack of confidence in the monetary system, making trade and economic planning challenging. ### c. Taxation **Weakness:** The federal government had no power to levy taxes directly on citizens. - **Explanation:** The government could only request funds from the states, which were often unwilling or unable to provide the necessary financial support. This resulted in insufficient revenue to fund national endeavors such as defense, infrastructure, and debt repayment. ### d. One-State One-Vote Policy **Weakness:** Each state had an equal vote in Congress regardless of its population or size. - **Explanation:** This system gave disproportionate influence to smaller states, making it difficult to pass legislation that might require consideration of the larger states' interests. It hindered effective representation and led to legislative gridlock. ### e. Government Figurehead **Weakness:** The national government lacked an executive branch to enforce laws and oversee national policies. - **Explanation:** Without a strong central leadership, the government was primarily a ceremonial body without the means to implement or enforce decisions. This made coordinated national action nearly impossible and weakened the overall effectiveness of the government. ### f. Passing Laws **Weakness:** Major legislation required unanimous consent from all thirteen states. - **Explanation:** Achieving unanimous agreement was extremely difficult, leading to legislative paralysis. Important laws and reforms could be easily blocked by even a single dissenting state, preventing the government from addressing critical issues effectively. --- These structural weaknesses under the Articles of Confederation ultimately led to the recognition that a stronger federal framework was necessary, paving the way for the drafting and adoption of the United States Constitution.

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One of the most glaring weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation was its limitation on trade, as the federal government had no authority to regulate or impose tariffs. This created a chaotic trade environment where states often competed against each other, hindering economic growth and stability. Without a unified trade policy, states could impose tariffs on each other, which further fueled discontent and rivalry among them. When it comes to money, the Articles allowed both the federal and state governments to issue currency, leading to confusion and lack of trust in the economy. Each state could print its own money, causing widespread issues such as inflation and a lack of a stable currency for transactions. This chaotic monetary system made it difficult for businesses and citizens to engage in trade and fostered a sense of economic instability.

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