“the fundamental defect is a want [lack] of power in congress. it is hardly worth while to show in what this consists as it seems to be universally acknowledged, or to point out how it has happened as the only question is how to remedy diffidence [lack of confidence] in congress of their own powers, by which they have been timid and indecisive in their resolutions, constantly making concessions to the states till they have scarcely left themselves the shadow of power.” - alexander hamilton, 1780
2a. from hamilton’s point of view, what was a fundamental weakness of the articles of confederation? [1]