Which statement best describes the Articles of Confederation?

Which statement best describes the Articles of Confederation?

• A. A strong central government
• B. A document creating a federal system
• C. Weak national government with limited powers
• D. A constitution that has never been amended

Answer: (C)

The Articles of Confederation is best described as establishing a weak national government with limited powers. This framework was created in response to the experiences of the American colonies under British rule, where a strong centralized government was viewed as oppressive. The Articles prioritized state sovereignty, granting most powers to the individual states while the national government had very limited authority. Under the Articles, the national government could not levy taxes, regulate commerce, or enforce laws directly. This lack of power created significant challenges, as the federal government struggled to manage national issues effectively, such as economic instability and interstate disputes. The intended purpose was to provide a loose alliance of states, but this too often led to inefficiency and discord. In contrast to this characterization, the other statements do not accurately reflect the nature of the Articles of Confederation. There was no strong central government or effective federal systems in place, and while there are constitutions that have not been amended, the Articles themselves were ultimately replaced by the U.S. Constitution after acknowledging their inadequacies. Thus, the recognition of the Articles as a framework for a weak national government is fundamental in understanding the historical context and transition to a stronger federal system.

The Articles of Confederation is best described as establishing a weak national government with limited powers. This framework was created in response to the experiences of the American colonies under British rule, where a strong centralized government was viewed as oppressive. The Articles prioritized state sovereignty, granting most powers to the individual states while the national government had very limited authority.

Under the Articles, the national government could not levy taxes, regulate commerce, or enforce laws directly. This lack of power created significant challenges, as the federal government struggled to manage national issues effectively, such as economic instability and interstate disputes. The intended purpose was to provide a loose alliance of states, but this too often led to inefficiency and discord.

In contrast to this characterization, the other statements do not accurately reflect the nature of the Articles of Confederation. There was no strong central government or effective federal systems in place, and while there are constitutions that have not been amended, the Articles themselves were ultimately replaced by the U.S. Constitution after acknowledging their inadequacies. Thus, the recognition of the Articles as a framework for a weak national government is fundamental in understanding the historical context and transition to a stronger federal system.