The Articles of Confederation was the first U.S. Constitution, ratified by the 13 original states of the U.S. in 1781. In overall, it was characterized for giving too much power to the states and establishing a government consisting only of a unicameral legislature with limited and clearly delineated powers. This lack of balance made it difficult to lead the nation properly, and some of its weaknesses constituted the following:
<u>Congress could not levy taxes</u>, it could only collect money by selling lands or asking the states for funds, which had the option to deny.
<u>Articles could only be changed by a unanimous vote.</u>
<u>There was no federal court system</u> as we know it today, the Constitution did not establish a federal court system, instead, it gave Congress the power to establish courts, appoint courts for the trial of piracies and felonies committed on the high seas and for determining some cases.
<u>Congress could not regulate trade</u> as this power was granted to the states only.
<u>There was no national executive. </u>Back then, there was not even a President, the government consisted of a Congress only.
<u>Nine states had to approve any new law in Congress</u> meaning that the Congress could not enact any type of legislation or make any change that was not outlined in the Constitution unless nine states approved it.
