Under the Articles of Confederation, the central government was

• A. Strong and able to tax and regulate commerce.
• B. Weak and limited to expressly delegated powers.
• C. A monarchy.
• D. Had a powerful executive and judiciary.

Answer: (B)

Under the Articles of Confederation, the central government was weak and limited to powers expressly delegated by the states. This arrangement created a loose union in which Congress could handle foreign affairs, declare war, and borrow money, but it could not levy taxes or regulate commerce, and there was no independent executive or national judiciary. Major decisions often required the agreement of multiple states, and changes needed unanimous consent, which made the national government ineffective at addressing economic and security challenges. That combination—limited, state-centered authority with powers only what the states granted—explains why the central government was weak and constrained.