The confederation of states was unsuccessful because.

A. it was too powerful

B. it followed English law

C. it was too limited in its power

D. it taxed the states too much

The Articles of Confederation were unsuccessful because they lacked a strong unitary structure for the United States. The writers feared the power of a strong federal government. In order to prevent strong federal control, the states were privileged as the arbiters of government in the new nation. The supremacy of the states limited the power of the federal government. These limitations proved problematic in constructing a strong nation in the post - revolutionary period.