Which of the following accurately described the relative power of the national and state governments in the period in which the Article of Confederation was the Constitution of the United States
During the period in which the Articles of Confederation was the Constitution of the United States, the relative power of the national and state governments can be accurately described as follows:
1. The national government was weak and had limited powers: The Articles of Confederation established a weak central government with limited authority. The national government had no power to coin money, regulate trade, or raise taxes, among other limitations. It relied on voluntary contributions from the states to finance its operations and lacked the power to enforce its laws effectively.
2. States had a stronger position and retained most powers: Under the Articles of Confederation, the states maintained a significant level of independence and held most of the powers. Each state had its own constitution and had control over internal governance, including taxation and regulation. The national government had limited ability to influence or interfere in state affairs.
3. Sovereignty resided with the states: The Articles of Confederation emphasized the sovereignty and autonomy of the individual states. The states were viewed as sovereign entities, and the national government acted more as a loose alliance between them. Decisions requiring national action often required unanimous agreement among the states, making it difficult to pass legislation or implement national policies.
4. Lack of central authority and coordination: The weak national government under the Articles of Confederation struggled to exercise control or coordinate actions among the states. This lack of central authority led to difficulties in enforcing laws, resolving interstate disputes, and conducting foreign relations effectively. The national government had no executive branch, and decisions were made by a unicameral Congress with limited powers.
Overall, the period of the Articles of Confederation witnessed a relatively weak national government with limited powers, while the individual states retained significant autonomy and held most governing authority.