What happened at the Articles of Confederation and how did it end?

Answer 1

Drafted during the years 1776 and 1777, while the colonists were still fighting for independence, the Articles of Confederation created a weak national government with most of the governmental powers retained by the states. The Articles provided no separation of branches. There was no president or any other independent executive, nor was there a federal judicial branch. Congress, the legislature, was the only branch of government. Laws required unanimous votes. Members elected to congress did not vote as individuals, but as states. While congress did have some powers, it could not enforce its laws on the states or the people. States were permitted to coin their own money. There was no regulation of commerce between the states and states could even enter into treaties with foreign nations and declare war, "with the consent of Congress." Congress could not tax the states or the people, it could only request funds to run the government. The government under the Articles proved to be so weak that a convention was called to revise the Articles. This became known as the Constitutional Convention because the delegates decided to throw out the Articles and start creating a new government for the nation.

Answer 2

The Articles of Confederation ended because of its weaknesses. There was no court system, Congress could not tax, and there was no way to enforce laws enacted by Congress.