What was the purpose of the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation were specifically designed to serve as the first governing document of the newly independent United States. Ratified in 1781, they represented the initial framework for governance following the American Revolution. The primary aim was to create a union among the states while maintaining each state's sovereignty.

The Articles aimed to facilitate coordination among states, but they intentionally established a weak central government to avoid the kinds of tyranny experienced under British rule. This made the Articles limited in their effectiveness, as they did not provide the federal government with the power to regulate trade, levy taxes, or enforce laws. The subsequent deficiencies in governance under the Articles prompted the drafting of the U.S. Constitution in 1787, which sought to create a stronger federal structure.