In a general way, describe the national government under the articles of confederation

The Articles Of Confederation created a government which could barely do anything (at least compared to the individual states). The articles supported state sovereignty (where the states have total control and the government cannot the do anything to influence them), the government had to have the approval of all 13 states just to pass a bill. Under the heel of the articles , the government could not tax (states could though) , didn't have a president and various other things.

b) race riots in several cities

uncle sam would be tossing and turning in his grave : *)