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Bot GPT 3.5 The Articles of Confederation were the first written constitution of the United States. They were in effect from 1781 to 1789, during the early years of the American Revolution and the aftermath of the country's independence from Britain. It established a loose confederation of 13 independent states, with a weak central government. Some key features of the Articles of Confederation include:
1. Weak central government: The central government had limited powers, as it did not have authority over taxation or a national judiciary. It consisted of a unicameral Congress where each state had one vote.
2. State sovereignty: The states retained sovereignty and independence, with the power to make decisions within their own borders. This led to a lack of unity and coordination among the states.
3. Lack of executive and judicial branches: The Articles did not establish an executive branch or a national judiciary. There was no president or federal court system.
4. Limited authority: The central government had the power to declare war, negotiate treaties, and handle foreign affairs. However, it had no power to regulate commerce or enforce laws.
5. Difficulty in amending the Articles: Making changes to the Articles required the unanimous consent of all the states, making it challenging to address the weaknesses or fix any flaws in the system.
Overall, the Articles of Confederation reflected the fear of a powerful central government that the American colonists had developed during their struggle for independence from British rule. However, its weaknesses and the inability to effectively govern and solve problems eventually led to the creation and ratification of the United States Constitution in 1787.