Final answer:
The purpose of the Articles of Confederation was to establish a framework for a unified government among the newly formed American states, though it had several weaknesses. It aimed to provide a central authority to manage common interests such as foreign relations, defense, and trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of the Articles of Confederation was to establish a framework for a unified government among the newly formed American states. This document served as the first constitution of the United States, binding the states together while allowing them to retain their individual sovereignty. It aimed to provide a central authority to manage common interests such as foreign relations, defense, and trade.
However, the Articles of Confederation had several weaknesses. It created a weak central government that lacked the power to enforce laws, collect taxes, or regulate commerce effectively. This led to frequent disputes among the states and hindered the functioning of the government.
In 1787, the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation prompted the Constitutional Convention, where delegates drafted a new constitution to replace it with the United States Constitution.
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