Which statement best describes the Articles of Confederation?

Which statement best describes the Articles of Confederation?

• A. Created a strong central government with power to tax
• B. Created a weak central government unable to tax or enforce laws
• C. Established a robust federal court system
• D. Granted the president near-absolute authority

Answer: (B)

Under the Articles of Confederation, the central government was intentionally weak. The national government could conduct diplomacy and defend the country, but it had no executive to enforce laws, no national court to settle disputes, and crucially no power to levy taxes. It depended on the states for money and for enforcing its laws, which made national action slow or impossible when states disagreed. Amendments required unanimous consent, so changing the framework was almost impossible. This setup aimed to keep power with the states, but it left the nation inefficient at paying debts, regulating commerce, or presenting a united response to problems. That’s why the statement describing the Articles as creating a weak central government unable to tax or enforce laws is the best fit. The other descriptions suggest powers or structures (like a strong taxing authority, a robust federal court system, or a president with broad authority) that the Articles did not grant.

Under the Articles of Confederation, the central government was intentionally weak. The national government could conduct diplomacy and defend the country, but it had no executive to enforce laws, no national court to settle disputes, and crucially no power to levy taxes. It depended on the states for money and for enforcing its laws, which made national action slow or impossible when states disagreed. Amendments required unanimous consent, so changing the framework was almost impossible. This setup aimed to keep power with the states, but it left the nation inefficient at paying debts, regulating commerce, or presenting a united response to problems.

That’s why the statement describing the Articles as creating a weak central government unable to tax or enforce laws is the best fit. The other descriptions suggest powers or structures (like a strong taxing authority, a robust federal court system, or a president with broad authority) that the Articles did not grant.