What was the purpose of the Articles of Confederation?

The purpose of the Articles of Confederation was to serve as the first constitution for the newly independent states after the American Revolution. This document, ratified in 1781, was designed to create a framework for governance that unified the thirteen states while allowing them to retain significant individual sovereignty. The Articles established a confederation, meaning that it created a loose alliance of states with a weak central government that had limited powers, primarily focused on issues such as defense and foreign relations.

At the time, there was a strong desire among the states to avoid a powerful central authority that resembled the British monarchy they had just fought against. Therefore, the Articles emphasized state independence and autonomy, which was reflected in the limited powers granted to the national government. However, the weaknesses of the Articles, such as the inability to levy taxes or regulate commerce effectively, eventually led to the call for a stronger federal system, resulting in the U.S. Constitution in 1787.