Under the Articles of Confederation, the federal government had limited powers and could not tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws. This led to financial and domestic problems. The Constitutional Convention established a stronger federal government with three branches and a system of checks and balances. Key compromises included the bicameral legislature, electoral college for electing the president, and counting slaves as 3/5 of a person. The new Constitution established a stronger federal government but also led to the emergence of the first political parties.