What was the Articles of Confederation, and why was it deemed ineffective?

The Articles of Confederation served as the first constitution of the United States, adopted in 1781 during a time when the newly independent states were grappling with their governance. The primary reason it was deemed ineffective stemmed from its establishment of a weak federal government. Under this framework, the national government lacked critical powers, such as the ability to levy taxes or regulate interstate and foreign trade. This inadequacy made it challenging to raise funds for essential services and defense, leading to financial instability. Moreover, without the power to regulate trade, states often imposed tariffs on one another, further straining relationships and economic unity.

The Articles also mandated that major decisions required unanimous consent from all thirteen states, making it exceedingly difficult to enact necessary reforms or respond to crises. Their inability to address pressing issues, such as debt and the need for a coordinated defense, ultimately highlighted the limitations of this system and laid the groundwork for the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where a more robust federal framework was developed in the U.S. Constitution.