What was a primary weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

The primary weakness of the Articles of Confederation was that it lacked effective enforcement of laws. This lack of a strong central authority meant that the national government did not have the power to enforce its laws or regulate commerce effectively between the states. Without a national judiciary or the ability to levy taxes, the government struggled to address issues such as economic instability and disputes between states. This inability to enforce laws led to significant challenges, including difficulties in maintaining order and a cohesive national policy, ultimately contributing to the need for a stronger federal government, which was established under the Constitution later on.

The other options reflect misunderstandings of the Articles: the federal government under the Articles was intentionally weak, with most powers retained by the states. There was no separate executive branch established, and states retained significant authority, which was a major point of contention under the Articles and ultimately led to their revision.