Final answer:
The American government initially operated under a decentralized system with the Articles of Confederation, which undermined unity due to its weak central power. The Constitution later promoted unity by establishing a stronger federal government and balancing power between the national and state governments. Therefore, the American government structure ultimately promoted unity through a strong central government. Option a is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The structure of the American government during the formation of the 13 colonies was a subject of intense debate, as there were significant concerns about the balance of power between the central government and the states. Initially, the American government operated under the Articles of Confederation, which established a decentralized government, struggling with unified actions such as waging war, collecting taxes, and regulating commerce. This period highlighted that a weak central government undermined unity by hindering effective national governance.
In response to these challenges, the Constitution was adopted in 1789, creating a stronger federal system that promoted unity by allowing the central government to maintain an army and navy, regulate trade, and impose taxes, while also ensuring states retained significant powers. The resulting federal constitution represented a compromise between the need for a cohesive national structure and the desire to preserve state sovereignty, thereby fostering unity among the colonies while respecting their autonomy.
Thus, the answer to the question would be (a) Promoted unity through strong central government, as the shift from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution sought to create a more effective federal government to address the issues that arose under the decentralized system.