Which was a significant limitation of the Articles of Confederation?

The significant limitation of the Articles of Confederation was its inability to raise funds through taxation. Under the Articles, the national government relied on voluntary contributions from the states to finance its operations, which proved to be incredibly challenging. This lack of a tax-collecting authority meant that the federal government struggled to pay debts from the Revolutionary War, fund its military, and support its various functions, leading to significant financial instability.

This limitation was particularly problematic because it hindered the government’s ability to respond effectively to national crises and maintain order. The inability to impose taxes left the national government dependent on the goodwill of the states, resulting in insufficient revenue to operate effectively. Consequently, this contributed to the push for a stronger federal government and ultimately led to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, which established the power to levy taxes as a fundamental aspect of the new government framework.