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1.4 Challenges of the Articles of Confederation

Part of Foundations of American Democracy in AP® US Government & Politics. Read the opening section, then create a free account for the full interactive lesson, practice, and progress tracking.

The Articles of Confederation created the first national government of the United States, emphasizing state sovereignty and limiting central authority. Under the Articles, the national government lacked key powers, including the ability to tax, regulate interstate commerce, and enforce laws. These limitations reflected fears of centralized tyranny but resulted in an ineffective governing structure.

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