What form of government was established by the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation established a weak federal government primarily due to the intent of its framers to avoid the risk of tyranny that had been experienced under British rule. This document, ratified in 1781, created a loose alliance of sovereign states and a limited national government that lacked the authority to impose taxes, regulate commerce, or enforce laws directly on the citizens. The central government was designed to coordinate efforts among the states but was intentionally kept weak to preserve state sovereignty and prevent any centralized power from becoming too strong. Consequently, this structure led to significant challenges in governance, prompting a reconsideration of the federal system and the eventual drafting of the U.S. Constitution in 1787 to create a more balanced system of government that incorporated both federal authority and state rights.