Final answer:
The Articles of Confederation exemplified a loose alliance of states with limited central authority, essentially functioning as a confederation with most power held by the individual states.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other" reflects the nature of the governance structure established by the Articles of Confederation, which can best be described as a loose alliance of states with limited central authority, option a). After the United States declared independence, there was a strong desire to avoid the centralized authority they experienced under British rule. As a result, the Articles created a weak central government with most powers residing at the state level. This structure is known as a confederation, where states hold the primary power and the national government is secondary and weak.
This system allowed each state to maintain its "sovereignty, freedom, and independence," essentially giving them the ability to operate like independent countries. However, this loose alliance soon proved to be ineffective, as the national government lacked the authority to manage economic strife, foreign treaties, and internal rebellions effectively. Notable shortcomings of the Articles prompted the convening of the Constitutional Convention, where a new constitution establishing a stronger federal government was drafted to replace the Articles of Confederation.