Why did Americans want a weak government

They sought a central government with limits on its powers They didn't want a government that would act as a dictator, as the King of England did. Many colonists believed that if they had stronger state governments, more power would be vested in them. This led to the creation of the articles of confederation. the articles of confederation had many problems, so eventually the constitution was written. The colonists finally settled on a constitution that left all powers not granted to the central government, to the States.