Under the Articles of Confederation, how many states were needed to amend the document?

The correct answer is that all 13 states were required to amend the Articles of Confederation. This requirement reflected a significant challenge in the governance structure established by the Articles, as achieving unanimous consent was often difficult. Each state had an equal vote, and changes to the foundational document necessitated agreement from all the states, which made it nearly impossible to adapt to the evolving needs of the nation post-independence.

The requirement for unanimous consent illustrated the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, as it hindered the ability of the central government to respond to pressing issues effectively. The need for all states to agree meant that minor disagreements could stall significant reforms or changes necessary to strengthen the government. This contributed to calls for a stronger federal framework, eventually leading to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, which provided a more flexible amendment process.