What factor made the Articles of Confederation considered weak?

The Articles of Confederation are considered weak primarily because they lacked a system for collecting taxes. Under this framework, the federal government did not have the authority to impose taxes directly on the states or individuals, which severely limited its ability to raise revenue. This lack of financial power made it difficult for the national government to support its functions, such as maintaining an army, paying debts, or funding other essential services.

The inability to enforce tax collection contributed to the government's overall ineffectiveness. It struggled to respond to economic crises and unrest—most notably evidenced by Shays' Rebellion, which highlighted the weaknesses of the federal structure and the need for a stronger national government. This situation ultimately led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where the Articles were replaced with the U.S. Constitution, emphasizing a more centralized federal system with stronger fiscal authority. The other choices do not accurately capture the primary weakness of the Articles in relation to governance and authority over financial matters.