Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the Articles of Confederation?

The option that states power is shared by the national and state governments is not a characteristic of the Articles of Confederation. Under the Articles, the central government was intentionally designed to be weak, lacking the authority to impose taxes, regulate commerce, or enforce laws effectively. This framework emphasized state sovereignty, meaning that individual states held most of the power and could operate independently, including the ability to nullify federal laws within their borders.

In contrast, a system where power is shared between national and state governments is a hallmark of federalism, which is more aligned with the Constitution established later. The Articles of Confederation did not establish this kind of balance; instead, it reinforced the dominance of state governments over a central authority, which ultimately led to significant challenges in governance and prompted the need for a new constitutional framework.