Nmcculloch v. maryland, the supreme court ruled that

In the case McCulloch v. Maryland, in 1819, the United States Supreme Court pronounced a landmark decision on federalism in the United States. The State of Maryland had attempted to interfere with the operation of a branch of the federal Second Bank of the United States by charging a tax on all banknotes issued by non-Maryland banks. The Supreme Court declared the law to impose the tax unconstitutional because it conflicted with Congress's implicit legislative powers based on the "necessary and proper" clause of the first article of the United States Constitution. The clause gives Congress the power to pass laws beyond the explicitly stated catalog of jurisdictions, as long as these laws are "necessary and appropriate" to implement the explicitly named legislative powers. The jurisprudence on implicit competences has been incorporated as an implied powers doctrine into international law and other jurisdictions.

the articles of confederation only set up the continental congress at the federal level. there were no executive or judicial branches except within the states. the states were allowed to keep every right that was not specifically given to congress. the bonding of the states was through a 'firm league of friendship' that best served as a defense agreement against invasion. states were not allowed to use taxes as a way to discourage treaties, and states were extremely limited in their dealings with foreign nations.

not many historians today talk about the strengths of the articles of confederation, likely because of how unpopular the document quickly became. the articles did set the legislative body, congress, as the highest power in the nation because of the fear of monarchy. congress had the sole power to declare war, assign treaties, entertain foreign relations, and operate post offices. disputes between states and territorial issues were to be brought to congress. the document also stipulated that canada was allowed to enter the union if they desired.

there were more weaknesses than strengths under the articles of confederation. the lack of power given to the continental congress strangled the federal government. the articles gave congress the power to pass laws but no power to enforce those laws. if a state did not support a federal law, that state could simply ignore it. congress had no power to levy taxes or regulate trade. without a federal court system or executive leader, there would be no way to enforce these laws, either. amending the articles of confederation would also require a unanimous decision, which would be extremely difficult.