The Articles of Confederation, which served as the first constitution of the United States from 1781 to 1789, placed the most government power in the hands of the individual states rather than the federal government.
Under the Articles of Confederation, the federal government was weak and had limited powers. The Confederation Congress, which was composed of delegates from each state, had the power to conduct foreign affairs, declare war, and make peace, but it could not regulate commerce, levy taxes, or enforce its laws. The states retained most of the power and authority, including the power to regulate trade, levy taxes, and enforce laws.
This system of government proved to be ineffective, as the federal government was unable to raise revenue or maintain a strong military. The weakness of the federal government under the Articles of Confederation led to the drafting of a new constitution in 1787, which created a stronger federal government with more centralized power. This new constitution, known as the United States Constitution, replaced the Articles of Confederation and remains in effect today.