What was required to amend the Articles of Confederation?

What was required to amend the Articles of Confederation?

• A. Nine states had to approve amendments
• B. A simple majority of Congress could amend
• C. All states had to approve amendments
• D. The president's signature was required

Answer: (C)

To amend the Articles of Confederation, all thirteen states had to approve the change. The plan was proposed by Congress but could only take effect after every state's legislature ratified it. This requirement kept the central government weak and protected each state’s sovereignty, since no amendment could happen unless every state agreed. There is no president to sign off on changes, and a simple majority in Congress or in nine states wouldn’t be enough under this rule. Because amendments needed unanimous consent, they were effectively nearly impossible to pass, which is why the Articles remained rigid and ultimately led to creating a new framework with the U.S. Constitution.

To amend the Articles of Confederation, all thirteen states had to approve the change. The plan was proposed by Congress but could only take effect after every state's legislature ratified it. This requirement kept the central government weak and protected each state’s sovereignty, since no amendment could happen unless every state agreed. There is no president to sign off on changes, and a simple majority in Congress or in nine states wouldn’t be enough under this rule. Because amendments needed unanimous consent, they were effectively nearly impossible to pass, which is why the Articles remained rigid and ultimately led to creating a new framework with the U.S. Constitution.