Under the Articles of Confederation, weaknesses of the US government included:
1. Congress could not raise taxes: This limitation made it challenging for the government to generate revenue to fund its operations and pay off debts.
2. It was difficult for Congress to get a consensus to pass laws: Due to the requirement of a supermajority (9 out of 13 states) to pass laws, it was often hard to reach agreements, resulting in legislative gridlock.
3. Congress could declare war: While this may not be seen as a weakness in itself, without a central authority to coordinate military efforts and raise funds, waging war effectively was problematic.
4. Congress could negotiate with foreign governments: This ability was limited by the fact that Congress lacked the power to enforce treaties or regulate trade among the states, weakening the country's position on the international stage.
These weaknesses under the Articles of Confederation ultimately led to the need for a stronger central government, which was addressed by the Constitution of the United States.
