Final answer:
Drafters of the Articles of Confederation were wary of centralized power's corruptive potential, leading to a government with limited powers. The experiences under the Articles, like Shays' Rebellion, showed the need for a stronger federal system, resulting in the U.S. Constitution which balanced national authority with mechanisms to prevent tyranny.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concerns about the corruptive power of centralized authority shaped the drafting of the Articles of Confederation. The drafters, aware of historical examples and guided by cautionary principles like those echoed by Lord Acton, intentionally created a government with limited central power to mitigate the potential for corruption. This view is reflected in the government's lack of authority to tax, raise an army, or effectively change the Articles without unanimous consent, demonstrating a fear of centralized control similar to the British monarchy.
Additionally, the experience of Shays' Rebellion and the economic downturn following the revolution highlighted the deficiencies of the Articles, emphasizing the need for a stronger federal government. However, the Framers aimed to balance the need for a more robust national government with safeguards against tyranny, resulting in the U.S. Constitution which established mechanisms for amending governmental structure while also preserving state sovereignty.
The struggle to find the right balance of power led to heated debates at the Constitutional Convention about representation, taxation, and the election of the president. The new constitution sought to address these concerns, creating a government that was both national and federal, with sufficient power to act for the collective good while restraining potential abuses of power.