Weaknesses: The national government under the Articles of Confederation had several weaknesses such as no power to tax, inability to regulate trade, and lack of a strong executive branch.
Sovereignty: Refers to supreme power or authority. In this context, it relates to how individual states had more power than the national government, which made it difficult for effective decision-making in international affairs.
Shays' Rebellion: An armed uprising by farmers against high taxes and economic conditions after the Revolutionary War. It highlighted the weakness of the national government's ability to maintain law and order, further showcasing its ineffectiveness.