What was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

The major weakness of the Articles of Confederation was its lack of power to tax. Under the Articles, the federal government could not impose taxes or generate revenue on its own, relying instead on voluntary contributions from the states. This system proved to be ineffective, as many states were unwilling or unable to provide adequate funding. As a result, the federal government struggled to pay debts, fund military needs, and support essential services.

The inability to tax limited the government's authority and effectiveness, leading to significant challenges in governance and prompting calls for a stronger national government. This weakness became evident when issues such as Shays' Rebellion highlighted the vulnerabilities and discontent among the citizenry regarding the federal government's inability to maintain order and handle financial crises. Eventually, these challenges contributed to the decision to convene the Constitutional Convention, where the U.S. Constitution was drafted to create a more powerful federal government with the ability to tax and govern effectively.