Why did the states have the most power under the article confederation?

Answer 1

In America's Founding Period, the Founders initially made the American states more powerful than the federal government (via the 'Articles of Confederation') for several reasons. One of the most important was their experience of oppression by the federal powers of Great Britain. Yet another important reason was their tradition of service to (and loyalty toward) the individual states in which they lived and worked.

Answer 2

As you may know, the states had the power to ratify the laws that needed to be passed. Each state had one vote, no matter what the population may be. This choice was made by the Great Compromise.

Answer 3

The states had so much power because they were allowed sovereignty, which basically meant they had their own little constitution. They could have equal power to the congress in absence of congress, and even more power if it was necessary. States were in a "firm league of friendship" with each other, so they basically didn't need a government to protect them.

Answer 4

America had just won a war against a tyrannical government. Thus the Founding Fathers were extremely skeptical of a large and powerful central government, so they purposefully made the national government very weak and left most governing decisions to the states.