The Continental Congress between the years 1776 and 1777 decided that the way of life was unsuitable. After all had decided that they together drafted what we call the Articles of Confederation; “the document which defined the collective sovereignty of the colonies; drafted by the Continental Congress between 1776 and 1777, then ratified by the thirteen states in 1781” (Schultz 115). There were experiments underway in the states that did not affect the Articles of Confederation. There wasn't much change, since it had been pretty much the same since the late 1770s. The articles gave each state its independence and granted very minimal powers to the main federal government. Under the Articles of Confederation, certain powers were strictly reserved to the federal government. All powers were placed in a single legislature, which was followed by the Continental Congress. There was also no separation of powers; without a president, monarch or prime minister to be the executive branch. Instead, there was a state committee, made up of one representative from each state member of that committee. Being the most civilized authority, she didn't grant him much power. However, the Continental Congress has five powers under the Articles of Confederation: “(I) to declare war and make peace; (2) conclude international treaties; (3) control Indian affairs in the West; (4) establish a currency; and (5) establish and maintain a postal service” (Schultz 115). Under the powers reserved to the states, they had full rights to levy taxes and regulate commerce. To fight a war, these were the two most important things, because money was continually coming in and going out. However, under the Articles of Confederation, this could do nothing... middle of paper ... it took years and a lot of thought. From beginning with the Continental Congress to the Articles of Confederation, which then lead to the Constitution. There were weaknesses in the articles which were resolved in the Constitution. The ability to raise money was changed in the Constitution because they could have a sound currency; this in turn limited much of the debt the nation was previously involved in. The possibility of imposing taxes due to debt was tested in the articles; however, in the Constitution this was entrusted to the legislative branch, with the ability to tax an individual and not just the state. The executive branch took over the internal commerce capacity from the Articles of Confederation. They declared that only one person held power and higher authority, contrary to the articles. The United States Constitution birthed a new nation subject to government restrictions.