Question

question 6 of 25

what was one weakness of the articles of confederation?

a. the confederation congress was unable to create any new laws.
b. only individual states could make agreements with other countries.
c. the confederation congress was the only branch of government.
d. the central government did not distribute tax money to the states.

Explanation:

Analyze the structure of the Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation established a unicameral legislature (the Confederation Congress) as the sole branch of the national government. There was no independent executive branch to enforce laws and no national judiciary to interpret them. This lack of separate branches severely limited the government's operational balance and efficiency.

Evaluate the given options

• Option A: The Confederation Congress could pass laws, though doing so required a supermajority of 9 out of 13 states, making it difficult but not impossible.
• Option B: The central government, not individual states, held the formal power to make treaties and alliances with foreign nations, though enforcing them was difficult.
• Option C: Under the Articles, there was no executive branch or national court system. The Confederation Congress was indeed the only branch of government, which is widely recognized as a structural weakness.
• Option D: The central government lacked the power to levy taxes directly on citizens; instead, it had to request funds from the states, meaning it did not distribute tax money to them.

Confirm the correct choice

Option C correctly identifies a structural weakness of the Articles of Confederation: the lack of executive and judicial branches, leaving the unicameral Congress as the sole organ of the national government.

Answer:

• (A) The Confederation Congress was unable to create any new laws.
• (B) Only individual states could make agreements with other countries.
• (C) The Confederation Congress was the only branch of government. (Correct answer)
• (D) The central government did not distribute tax money to the states.