8th Grade US History Practice Test

What was a central weakness of the Articles that prevented it from functioning effectively?

It had no power to tax It created a strong executive It had a separate national judiciary It required a constitutional amendment for any action

Correct Answer:

It had no power to tax

Explanation:

The central weakness being tested is the national government’s inability to raise revenue because it lacked the power to tax. Under the Articles, the new government could only request money from the states, which led to chronic underfunding and unpaid debts. Without reliable funds, it couldn’t pay soldiers, run operations, or honor treaties, and it struggled to maintain national security or a functioning postal system. Because money drives so many government activities, this lack of power to tax crippled the government far more than other missing features. While there were other gaps, such as the absence of a strong executive or a national court, none undermined daily functioning as directly as the inability to levy and collect taxes.

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