Final answer:
The 'perpetual Union' of the Articles of Confederation originally aimed to establish a long-lasting alliance under the name of 'The United States of America.' This Union can be seen as both a strength, for its commitment to collaboration among states, and a weakness, due to the limited powers of the central government. The subsequent Constitution addressed these weaknesses by creating a federal system with more authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase 'perpetual Union' as found in the Articles of Confederation establishes the name of the confederation as "The United States of America" and signifies its intent to be a long-lasting alliance. However, this Union's strength can be debated. Seen as a strength, it represented a commitment among the states to work together towards common goals, despite the intrinsic sovereignty of each state. Conversely, it can be seen as a weakness because the central government lacked authority and the capacity to enforce laws or regulate commerce effectively, a glaring problem that led to the creation of the stronger federal system in the Constitution.
The first Congress under the Articles was unicameral, where delegates had limited powers and each state had only one vote, indicating a weak central government. This structure made it challenging to respond to national issues, leading to difficulties such as maintaining national security and economic stability. The Articles empowered states significantly, allowing them to maintain military forces, print money, and craft treaties. These policies often led to conflicting state laws and international agreements that weakened the collective power of the nation.
In order to form a more perfect Union, the founders shifted to a federal system with the drafting of the Constitution, which provided a stronger central authority that was better equipped to handle the needs of a growing nation. The new Constitution began with the preamble "We the People," illustrating a move towards a collective national identity and establishing a stronger sense of unity than what was achieved under the Articles of Confederation.