What challenge did the Articles of Confederation face regarding interstate relations?

• A. It encouraged trade between states
• B. It created a unified currency
• C. It allowed for individual states to impose tariffs
• D. It facilitated a strong central government

Answer: (C)

The Articles of Confederation, which governed the United States from 1781 to 1789, faced significant challenges that hindered effective interstate relations. One of the most pressing issues was that the Articles did not establish a means for a unified economic policy or currency. Instead, individual states retained the power to impose their own tariffs on goods coming from other states, leading to economic fragmentation and trade disputes. This situation fostered an environment where states acted in their own interests rather than collectively, creating tension and a lack of cooperation among them.

Therefore, the statement that the Articles of Confederation allowed for individual states to impose tariffs accurately reflects one of the key weaknesses in how the framework was set up, ultimately contributing to the need for a stronger central government and the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. This lack of cohesion in trade practices served as a barrier to economic growth and interstate cooperation, highlighting a fundamental flaw in the Articles' design.