What was the purpose of the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation were created with the primary purpose of unifying the individual states under a common governmental framework. Ratified in 1781, they established a loose confederation of sovereign states that formed a weak central government, primarily to handle issues that would require collective action, such as conducting foreign affairs and managing relations with Native American nations.

This centralized authority was essential for creating a coalition among the states, particularly in the aftermath of the Revolutionary War. The Articles aimed to foster cooperation and collaboration among the states, which were often acting independently and at times in confict with each other. While the Articles did provide for a unified government, it’s also worth noting that their weaknesses led to a greater demand for a stronger federal government, ultimately resulting in the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.

The other choices suggest strong structures or powers that the Articles did not create. The Articles did not provide for a strong federal government, nor did they establish a system of checks and balances as seen in the later Constitution. Also, while local governments held significant powers under the Articles, this choice does not capture the main objective of unifying the states, which was the primary goal at that time.