Articles of Confederation: Strengths and Weaknesses

Questions and Answers

What is one strength of the Articles of Confederation?

They had a chief executive.

They had a national court system.

They could declare war and start an army and navy. (correct)

They could draft soldiers.

Which of the following was a way the Articles of Confederation could make peace?

Sign treaties. (correct)

Enforce treaties.

Regulate interstate commerce.

Draft soldiers.

What was a limitation regarding soldiers under the Articles of Confederation?

They had no power to draft soldiers.

What was a major weakness related to treaties in the Articles of Confederation?

They had no power to enforce treaties. Signup and view all the answers

What financial problem did the Articles of Confederation face?

They couldn't raise taxes to pay borrowed money back. Signup and view all the answers

What was missing in the Articles of Confederation that made passing laws difficult?

They needed a 2/3 vote to pass laws. Signup and view all the answers

What governance structure was missing from the Articles of Confederation?

They had no chief executive (president). Signup and view all the answers

What type of judicial structure was absent under the Articles of Confederation?

They had no national court system. Signup and view all the answers

What power related to commerce did the Articles of Confederation lack?

They had no power to regulate interstate commerce (trade). Signup and view all the answers

What currency issue did the Articles of Confederation face?

They had no national currency. Signup and view all the answers

What was required to change the Articles of Confederation?

They needed a unanimous vote to change articles. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Strengths of the Articles of Confederation

Congress had the authority to declare war and establish an army and navy, enabling national defense.
They could negotiate peace and sign treaties, which was crucial for international relations.
The ability to borrow money helped finance government initiatives and operations.
Organized a postal service, facilitating communication and commerce across states.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Lack of power to draft soldiers restricted military recruitment and readiness.
Inability to enforce treaties undermined agreements with other nations and states.
Congress could not levy taxes, resulting in difficulties to repay borrowed funds.
Absence of a chief executive (president) led to challenges in leadership and governance.
No national court system affected the enforcement of laws and resolution of disputes.
Inability to regulate interstate commerce led to economic disorganization and trade barriers.
Lack of a national currency created difficulties in trade and economic stability.
Difficulty in passing laws due to the requirement of a 2/3 majority vote stymied legislation.
Unanimous consent was needed to amend the Articles, making necessary changes nearly impossible.

Description

Explore the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation in this insightful quiz. Learn how this foundational document allowed Congress to function, while also facing significant limitations. Test your knowledge of early American governance concepts!