Which of the following was NOT a power granted to Congress under the Articles of Confederation?

• A. The power to declare war
• B. The power to make treaties
• C. The power to raise funds
• D. The power to settle disputes between states

Answer: (C)

The power to raise funds was not effectively granted to Congress under the Articles of Confederation. While Congress had the theoretical authority to request funds from the states, it did not have the power to compel them to pay. Each state was expected to contribute to the national treasury based on its ability to do so, but this system was largely ineffective because states often refused or were unable to meet these requests. This led to significant financial difficulties for the federal government.

In contrast, Congress did possess the powers to declare war, make treaties, and settle disputes between states under the Articles. These powers were part of an effort to unify the states under a central authority, even though the execution of these powers often faced challenges due to the lack of enforcement capabilities and cooperation from individual states. The inability to raise funds effectively was a key weakness of the Articles, ultimately contributing to the decision to draft a new Constitution.