independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right which is not by
this federation delegated to the United States."

Thus the new government was a confederation or league of states,
rather than a federal government such as we have to-day. There was no
national executive, and no judiciary. All authority was concentrated
in a one-chambered congress, in which each state was represented by
not fewer than two and not more than seven members. The delegates were
subject to recall by the legislatures of their respective states. Each
state had one vote, which was determined by a majority of the state's
delegates who were present when the vote was taken.

25. DEFECTS OF THE CONFEDERATION GOVERNMENT.--The government
established by the Articles of Confederation had a number of grave
defects. The fundamental difficulty was that the central government
had no real authority or power. The Congress of the Confederation
could reach individuals only through the action of the state
governments, and these it could not coerce. Thus the Congress could
declare war, and make requisitions upon the states for troops, but it
could not enlist a single soldier. It could make laws, but had no
power to enforce them. It could make treaties with foreign
governments, but could not oblige the states to respect those
agreements. The central government could not levy taxes, but was
obliged to accept whatever sums the states chose to contribute. The
Confederation government could not even protect itself, or the states,
against violence. It lacked force, and without the ability to exert
force, a government is a government in name only.

Not only did the central government fail to enlist the respect and
support of the states, but it could not induce the states to respect