The Articles of Confederation were weak primarily because they established a very limited central government that lacked essential powers. Key weaknesses included the lack of an independent judiciary, no chief executive to enforce laws or conduct foreign affairs, and the inability of Congress to levy taxes or regulate trade. Each state had equal voting power regardless of population, which created legislative inefficiencies, and significant laws required approval by nine of the thirteen states, making it difficult to pass legislation. Additionally, amendments to the Articles required unanimous consent from all states, making changes nearly impossible. The states retained most of the sovereign power, leading to economic troubles, diplomatic challenges, and a lack of effective national leadership and enforcement of laws.
