Which of the following best describes the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation served as the first constitution for the United States, enacted in 1781 during the Revolutionary War. It is characterized by the establishment of a decentralized government that granted significant powers to individual states while creating a weak national government. This structure aimed to ensure that states retained most of their sovereignty, as the founders were wary of a strong central authority reminiscent of British rule.

The Articles illustrated this weakness, as they did not give Congress the power to tax or regulate commerce effectively, leading to various challenges in governance and economic stability. The inability to enforce laws or compel states to adhere to national standards further exemplified this lack of power, ultimately revealing that the confederation was ineffective in maintaining order and cohesiveness among the states. The issues experienced under the Articles eventually led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where the current Constitution was drafted to create a stronger federal government.

Understanding the nature of the Articles of Confederation is crucial for grasping the historical context of the U.S. government and its evolution, which shapes the current political landscape.