The Articles of the Confederation was the first form of American government. The different arguments on whether the Articles made government weak or whether it was a great form of government is debated in the two essays given to read. In reading The Confederation: A Union Without Power by Jack N. Rakove, one believes the Articles of Confederation to be weak without authority.

The Confederation was weak because it lacked the power to tax. The states did not want a strong central government because for fear that they would loose their power as well. The Congress was constantly being rejected to tax imports and tax the states. The Central government had no authority to regulate interstate commerce.

Another problem pointed out was the lack of power of enforcement; the states had "voluntary cooperation" only, so if it didn't profit that state, they would refuse. There was no army...