What was a key characteristic of the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation were designed to create a framework for governance following the American Revolutionary War, and a key characteristic of this document was the establishment of a weak central government. The Articles emphasized state sovereignty, granting significant power to individual states while minimizing the authority of the national government. This design was rooted in a desire to avoid the oppressive central authority that the colonies had experienced under British rule.

The limitations imposed on the central government included the inability to levy taxes, regulate interstate commerce, or enforce laws effectively, which made it challenging for the national government to operate efficiently. As a result, states retained a large degree of independence and autonomy, leading to various challenges, such as inconsistent policies and economic instability, which ultimately prompted the drafting of a new constitution.

In contrast, other options misrepresent the nature of the Articles of Confederation. The lack of a strong central government and a powerful federal judiciary, along with the difficulty of amending the Articles, all contributed to the realization that the existing framework was inadequate for a functioning national government.