Under the Articles of Confederation, why…

History Questions

Under the Articles of Confederation, why was the national government unable to raise revenue? Check all that apply: 1. The national government was not given the power to regulate trade. 2. The national government needed approval from the states to collect taxes. 3. The states voted to allow the national bank to go bankrupt. 4. The state and national currencies competed with each other. 5. The national government could not create national money.

Answer

The correct answer choices are: The national government lacked the authority to regulate trade, it required state approval to impose taxes, and there was competition between state and national currencies. Explanation: A fear of a strong central government hindered the ability to implement such authority, as many believed self-governance couldn’t effectively manage a large nation like the United States. It was thought that representatives from a vast republic wouldn’t be able to connect with their constituents, and that the republic was at risk of becoming tyrannical. For many Americans, the union seemed merely an alliance of sovereign states, with Congress functioning primarily as a coordinating body for thirteen independent entities. During the Revolutionary War, Washington advocated for changes to the Articles of Confederation, particularly emphasizing the necessity for the national government to have the means to generate revenue and promote trade. The Articles did not grant Congress the power to levy taxes; it was up to the states to voluntarily provide funds to the central government. Consequently, Congress found itself struggling to secure finances for the war, leading to soaring federal debt, which drove inflation and rendered paper currency ineffective.

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