The Articles of Confederation established the first government of the United States after independence and was in place from 1781 to 1789. However, it proved to be ineffective as it gave the central government very little power and authority over the states. The Articles established a weak confederation with a one-house legislature where each state had equal representation. This structure led to many problems such as the central government's inability to regulate trade or enforce laws. By 1787, many leaders felt a stronger federal government was needed to solve national issues, leading to the Constitutional Convention and the eventual replacement of the Articles of Confederation with the U.S. Constitution.

1. Articles of Confederation Our First Government, Our First Failure