What are four debates over the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation, which served as the first constitution of the United States from 1781 to 1789, had several debated aspects that led to their eventual replacement by the United States Constitution. Here are four key debates over the Articles of Confederation:

1. Sovereign Powers of States: One of the significant debates centered on the balance of power between the state governments and the national government. Under the Articles, the states retained a large degree of sovereignty, which led to conflict over issues like commerce, defense, and international diplomacy.

2. Trade and Tariffs: The Articles of Confederation did not grant the national government the power to regulate interstate commerce or to impose tariffs on foreign imports. This led to inconsistent trade policies and disputes among the states, as well as difficulties in negotiating trade terms with other nations.

3. Taxation and Finances: Under the Articles, the national government lacked the power to levy taxes directly on individuals; it could only request funds from the states. This made it difficult for the Confederation Congress to raise revenue, fund the government, and pay off debts from the Revolutionary War, leading to discussions about the need for a strong central government with the power to tax.

4. Amending the Articles: The Articles of Confederation required unanimous consent from all thirteen states to implement any amendments. This high threshold made it nearly impossible to correct any weaknesses in the Articles, contributing to the debate over whether a new framework was needed to govern the nation.