I would say the most significant weaknesses of the government under the Articles of Confederation was the fact that the central government was too weak to enforce laws and couldn't impose taxes. The states had the most authority and since the government wasn't able to impose taxes, it doesn't have enough funds for a military (and it had to ask the states for troops). Without a strong military, it will be hard to defend the nation well if anything should occur.
They had a better position to spread muslim rule and they had better access to the Mediterranean sea and trade.
The economy was largely based on agriculture
It established the Judicial Courts, making up our whole judiciary branch.
