Establishing diplomatic affairs was extremely difficult to di since the federal government had no power when it comes to tariffs and import duties , and also because it had no way of enforcing any agreement made with other countries.(Source D) Treaty with Great Britain proposed measures which would improve relations with Britain and the U.S., but because the U.S did not have strong military power ,it lacked the means to enforce the agreement of Jay’s Treaty. (Source C) U.S tried to negotiate with Spain over the right of Mississippi River, but because of the weakness of the government under the Articles of Confederation, the United States did not reach a peaceful settlement concerning the Mississippi River until the Pinckney Treaty.

Political party struggles brought about disunity in the early government, thereby weakening its effectiveness. Rawlin Lowndes reflected the attitudes in his speech to the South Carolina House of Representatives, when he stated that, rather get rid of the existing government and adopt a constitution, attempts should be made to improve the existing structure