Which of the following best describes the political structure established by the Articles of Confederation?

Which of the following best describes the political structure established by the Articles of Confederation?

• A. Strong federal government
• B. Weak central government
• C. Parliamentary system
• D. Monarchy

Answer: (B)

The political structure established by the Articles of Confederation is best described as a weak central government because it was intentionally designed to limit the powers of the national government. The Articles were created in the aftermath of the American Revolution, reflecting a desire to avoid the centralized authority that had characterized British rule. As a result, the Articles provided for a confederation of sovereign states, with most authority retained at the state level. This weakness of the federal government manifested in several ways. For example, Congress, the sole central authority under the Articles, lacked the power to levy taxes or regulate interstate commerce. It needed the unanimous consent of all thirteen states to amend the Articles, making it incredibly challenging to effect any changes or address national issues effectively. The resulting inefficiency and inability to respond to collective problems ultimately highlighted the need for a stronger federal framework, leading to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, which replaced the Articles with the U.S. Constitution.

The political structure established by the Articles of Confederation is best described as a weak central government because it was intentionally designed to limit the powers of the national government. The Articles were created in the aftermath of the American Revolution, reflecting a desire to avoid the centralized authority that had characterized British rule. As a result, the Articles provided for a confederation of sovereign states, with most authority retained at the state level.

This weakness of the federal government manifested in several ways. For example, Congress, the sole central authority under the Articles, lacked the power to levy taxes or regulate interstate commerce. It needed the unanimous consent of all thirteen states to amend the Articles, making it incredibly challenging to effect any changes or address national issues effectively. The resulting inefficiency and inability to respond to collective problems ultimately highlighted the need for a stronger federal framework, leading to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, which replaced the Articles with the U.S. Constitution.