Read the following excerpt from Federalist #15 by Alexander Hamilton.Government implies the power of making laws. It is essential to the idea of a law, that it be attended with a sanction; or, in other words, a penalty or punishment for disobedience. If there be no penalty annexed to disobedience, the resolutions or commands which pretend to be laws will, in fact, amount to nothing more than advice or recommendation.
Answer
A
The government could not make laws under the Articles, but would be able to under the Constitution.
B
The government could make laws under the Articles, but would be able to enforce them under the Constitution.
C
The government could collect taxes under the Articles, but could now lawfully spend money under the Constitution.
D
The government could not collect taxes under the Articles, and would still not be able to under the Constitution.
Explanation
Hamilton argues that a law is ineffective without a penalty for disobedience. Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress could make resolutions but lacked the power to enforce them directly. The Constitution gave the national government stronger enforcement powers, so the best answer is “The government could make laws under the Articles, but would be able to enforce them under the Constitution.”
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.