Chapter 4: america's political heritage
articles of confederation weaknesses
shout strong
there are many weaknesses in our nation's government under the articles of confederation. the lack of
president or leader to head the national government left the nation without strong leadership congress
trouble passing laws because a vote of nine states needed to pass a law. there was no government
department or official to see that laws were enforced. there were no national courts to judge lawbreaken.
o govern
breaker
articles of confederation versus the constitution
directions: place the statements below in the appropriate boxes. decide if the statement is referring to theme
of confederation or the constitution.
1. state gave national government many powers
2. states kept most of the power
3. no president or chief executive
4. a president to head our nation's government
5. only congress many coin money
6. no system of national courts
7. congress could not draft soldiers into service
8. system of national courts authorized
9. laws difficult to pass
10. congress had no powers to collect taxes
11. laws easier to pass
12. congress responsible directly to people
(states)
13. congress given powers to collect taxes
14. congress many regulate trade
15. congress could not regulate trade
16. congress and states coin money
17. congress responsible to the states
18. congress can establish armed forces (military)
weaknesses of government established by
strengths of american government