The Articles of Confederation supported the Continental Army and allowed the Thirteen States to form a united front before the European powers. However, as a tool to build an effective government in times of war, it was a failure. Congress could make decisions, but did not have the power to apply them. Perhaps, the biggest setback was the requirement of unanimous approval of the 13 States to modify the articles. At the same time, the most important power that Congress lacked was the power to collect taxes: it could only request money from the States. These, for their part, did not always comply with the demands and Congress did not have the necessary funds for its operation. States and Congress had become indebted during the war, and the payment of debts was a matter of national importance.
Since the war against Great Britain was still going on, the settlers did not want to establish another powerful national government. With the mistrust to protect its new independence, the Continental Congress created a weak unicameral structure that protected the freedom of the member states. After the end of the War of Independence and the beginning of new priorities, its limitations became evident. This document was replaced by the Constitution of the United States after its ratification on June 21, 1788.
No provisions were made for an executive branch to enforce the laws nor for a national court system to interpret them. A legislative Congress was the sole organ of the national government, but it had no power to force the states to do anything against their will.
