Which characteristic describes the Articles of Confederation?

• A. No executive or judiciary, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade
• B. Strong central government with power to levy taxes
• C. Guaranteed complete federal authority over currency
• D. Created a balanced system of checks and balances among three branches

Answer: (A)

This question highlights the weakness of the central government under the Articles of Confederation. There was no executive to enforce laws and no national judiciary to interpret disputes. Congress lacked the power to tax, so it could only request money from states and had little ability to fund national needs. It also had no power to regulate trade, leaving interstate and foreign commerce unmanaged and often chaotic. This combination made the national government weak and dependent on states, which is why this description fits the Articles so well. In contrast, the other statements describe features of a stronger framework with an executive, a national court, the power to levy taxes, currency authority, and a system of checks and balances.