The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States, in effect from 1781 to 1789. They established a weak central government with most of the power held by the individual states. Here's where power was placed under the Articles of Confederation:
1. State Sovereignty: Each state retained its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, with the ability to govern itself independently. States had power over their own laws, taxes, and regulations.
2. Congress: The central government, represented by Congress, had limited powers such as conducting foreign affairs, maintaining an army, declaring war, and negotiating treaties. However, Congress lacked the power to levy taxes or regulate trade effectively.
3. Lack of Executive and Judicial Branches: The Articles did not establish executive or judicial branches at the national level, which limited the federal government's ability to enforce laws and settle disputes.
4. Unanimous Consent for Amendments: Amending the Articles required unanimous consent from all 13 states, making it difficult to adapt to changing circumstances or address issues effectively.
Overall, the Articles of Confederation placed power more in the hands of the individual states rather than a strong central government, leading to challenges in governance and decision-making that eventually led to the creation of the U.S. Constitution in 1789.
