The 13 states wanted a weak national government because
they'd just left a strong government of British rule and feared if they created another strong national government, it would be like Great Britain
they were not aware of how many states would need a central government, so they could not adequately prepare
they believed that a strong national government would infringe upon their individual state sovereignty and rights
they wanted to maintain their own autonomy and have more control over their own affairs
they anticipated potential conflicts and disagreements among the states and wanted a government that could be easily modified or dissolved if necessary
The 13 states wanted a weak national government because:
1. They had just left a strong government of British rule and feared creating another powerful central government would result in a similar situation to Great Britain. The American colonists had experienced excessive control and limitations on their rights under British rule, so they desired a government that would prioritize individual liberties and limit the concentration of power.
2. They were not fully aware of the extent to which a central government would be necessary for the functioning of the new nation. At the time, the states were primarily focused on establishing their own sovereignty and autonomy as separate entities. They were unsure of how many responsibilities and powers would need to be delegated to a central government, so they were cautious about granting too much authority.
Overall, the desire for a weak national government was largely influenced by the recent experience with British rule and a general concern of potentially repeating such a situation. Additionally, the lack of awareness of the precise requirements for a central government played a role in their cautious approach to the scope of power assigned to it.
The 13 states wanted a weak national government primarily because they had recently gained independence from Great Britain, which had a strong central government. They were concerned that creating another powerful national government would lead to a situation similar to what they had experienced under British rule. The colonists had fought against British oppression and excessive control over their lives, so they were wary of establishing a new government that could potentially become oppressive in the future.
Additionally, it is important to note that at the time of their independence, the 13 states were still in the early stages of forming a cohesive nation. They had just emerged from a war and were focused on establishing their own state governments. They did not have a clear idea of the exact number of states that would need a central government, so they were not adequately prepared to create a strong national government.
Overall, the fear of recreating a powerful government like Great Britain and the lack of preparation in determining the exact needs of multiple states were key factors in the desire for a weaker national government among the 13 states.