You know that the Articles of Confederation were an “EPIC Failure.” List at least 8 reasons that you think may have caused this failure. EPIC FAIL EPIC FAIL EPIC FAIL EPIC FAIL EPIC FAIL 9. How does this passage define a confederation? 10. H

Here are at least eight reasons that contributed to the perceived failure of the Articles of Confederation:

**Weak Central Government**: The Articles established a weak national government that lacked the authority to enforce laws or make decisions that were binding on the states.

**No Power to Tax**: The national government did not have the power to levy taxes, which made it difficult to raise revenue and led to financial instability.

**Unanimous Consent for Amendments**: Any amendments to the Articles required the unanimous consent of all thirteen states, making it nearly impossible to make necessary changes.

**No Executive Branch**: The lack of an executive branch meant there was no centralized leadership to enforce laws or coordinate national policy.

**Ineffective Foreign Policy**: The inability to raise a standing army and enforce treaties weakened the country's position in foreign affairs, leading to issues like border disputes and trade conflicts.

**Interstate Disputes**: States often acted in their own interests, leading to disputes and conflicts over boundaries, trade, and resources which the national government could not resolve.

**Economic Weakness**: The Articles did not provide a mechanism for regulating commerce, leading to economic instability and competition between states that hindered trade.

**Public Unrest**: Economic hardship and lack of effective governance led to public unrest, exemplified by events like Shays' Rebellion, which highlighted the inability of the federal government to maintain order.

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**Definition of a Confederation**: A confederation is typically defined as a union of sovereign states or regions that delegate limited powers to a central authority to manage certain affairs, while maintaining their autonomy and independence.

**Definition of a Constitution**: A constitution is a fundamental set of principles or established precedents that outline the structure, powers, and limits of a government. It serves as the supreme law of the land.

**Importance of a Strong Army in 1777**: A strong army was crucial for the young states in 1777 for several reasons: to defend against British military forces during the Revolutionary War, to maintain order within the states, and to protect against potential threats from other nations or Native American tribes.

**Current Legislature**: The United States does not have a one-house legislature. Instead, it has a bicameral legislature, consisting of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

**Power Distribution under the Articles**: Under the Articles of Confederation, the states held the majority of the power, while the national government was significantly weakened and granted only limited authority. The emphasis was on state sovereignty, which resulted in a fragmented system of governance.