1. Inability to Regulate Trade: Under the Articles of Confederation, each state had the authority to regulate its trade, resulting in inconsistent regulations and tariffs that hindered interstate and international commerce. The lack of a central authority to oversee trade led to economic instability and disputes among the states.
2. Financial Issues: The Continental Congress, established under the Articles of Confederation, faced difficulties raising funds to pay off debts incurred during the Revolutionary War. Without the power to levy taxes or regulate interstate commerce, the federal government struggled to generate sufficient revenue to finance essential services and military operations.
3. Weak Central Authority: The Articles of Confederation created a decentralized government where states held most of the power. The central government lacked the authority to enforce laws, resolve conflicts between states, or regulate foreign policy, leading to weak national leadership and reduced international influence.
4. Judicial Inefficiency: The Articles of Confederation did not establish a federal court system, which resulted in a lack of an efficient mechanism for resolving disputes between states or between individuals from different states. This judicial deficiency caused legal uncertainties and impeded the fair and prompt administration of justice.
5. International Vulnerability: The weakness of the central government made the United States vulnerable to foreign threats. The lack of a unified diplomatic policy, a standing army, and the inability to enter into treaties with foreign nations weakened the country's ability to defend itself and protect its interests on the international stage.
6. Lack of National Unity: The decentralized structure of the confederation government hindered the development of a strong sense of national identity. The states operated as almost independent entities, making it difficult to foster a cohesive and unified nation.
Therefore, the colonial leaders, recognizing the limitations and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, concluded that a stronger federal government was necessary to address the aforementioned issues, ensure economic prosperity, maintain national security, and promote unity among the states. This ultimately led to the creation of a new constitutional framework under the Constitution of the United States.