How did national and state powers differ under the articles? national powers superseded those of the state. national powers were deliberately left weak in order to maximize state powers. state powers included those given to congress, national powers did not.

The Articles of Confederation created a very weak central government with few powers. Congress couldn't levy taxes or commerce. Both the state and the national government could coin money. Most of the power was given to the states: the power to create courts, enforcement of acts of congress, and the power to tax. This is because the framers were afraid of a strong government like that of England, which had oppressed them for so long. Hope this helps.