2. Inability to Regulate Commerce: The Articles of Confederation did not allow Congress to regulate interstate and foreign commerce. This resulted in trade disputes and economic instability.
3. No Executive or Judicial Branches: The Articles of Confederation established a unicameral legislature, the Continental Congress, but it lacked an executive or judicial branch, making it difficult to execute and interpret laws.
4. Unfair Representation: The Articles of Confederation used the same voting system as the Continental Congress, which gave each state one vote regardless of its population size. This meant smaller states had a disproportionately large influence on decisions.
5. Inability to Amend the Articles: Under the Articles of Confederation, any amendment required unanimous approval by all states, making it difficult to adapt to changing circumstances or correct flaws.
6. Shays’ Rebellion: In 1786, Massachusetts experienced an armed uprising led by Daniel Shays due to economic hardships. The rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the central government and its inability to maintain order.
As a result of these limitations and the increasing need for a stronger and more efficient government, the Constitutional Convention was convened in 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation. The result was the creation of a new federal framework under the Constitution, which established a well-defined separation of powers, a system of checks and balances, and a stronger central government capable of addressing the nation’s challenges.