Final answer:
The Articles of Confederation were designed to be a decentralized government with weak central authority, avoiding the kinds of abuses the American colonists experienced under British rule. This structure led to a weak federal government that struggled to function effectively, prompting the creation of the U.S. Constitution for a more balanced federal system.
Step-by-step explanation:
Because most Americans feared strong governments like King George's, they created the Articles of Confederation to be b) A decentralized government with weak central authority. The Articles of Confederation reflected the colonists' experience with the British and their fear of an overbearing central authority, thus ensuring that the central government would not have too much power over the states. This fear of centralized power resulted in a government that could barely function, as it lacked the ability to tax, raise an army, or regulate commerce efficiently.
In essence, the Articles created an alliance where states retained sovereignty and the national government was weak. The lack of a strong federal government led to issues such as Shays' Rebellion, which highlighted the inefficiencies and the inability of the government to meet its obligations or maintain order. Ultimately, this would lead to the Constitutional Convention and the creation of a new, more balanced federal system.