Under the Articles of Confederation individual states remained sovereign and maintained their independence, congress served as a last ditch effort to appeal disputes, in addition to the fact that congress was granted the authority to build alliances, create treaties, maintain armed forces and monetary capital. The central government's weakness under the Articles of Confederation made state tax collection and regulation of commerce incredibly difficult and nearly impossible to enforce. The major weaknesses and failings of the Articles of Confederation made it necessary to enact new federal laws. These new laws would be discussed and voted on in the Constitutional Convention of 1787