Final answer:
The Articles of Confederation were eventually ratified by all thirteen states despite initial hesitation. The Articles' significant weaknesses, such as the inability to effectively deal with internal conflicts like Shays' Rebellion, led to the Constitutional Convention, where a new Constitution was drafted. This new Constitution addressed the shortcomings of the Articles by creating a stronger, more centralized federal government.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the Articles of Confederation were so flawed that many states refused to ratify them is generally false. While it is true that the Articles had significant weaknesses, they were eventually ratified by all thirteen states. Initially, there was resistance, but the Articles were seen as the first step to establishing a national government post-independence and were an important learning experience that influenced the creation of the U.S. Constitution. The Articles gave limited powers to the central government and required a unanimous vote for changes, which proved impractical. Moreover, events like Shays' Rebellion pointed out the inadequacies of the government under the Articles and led to the calling of the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
Following the experiences under the Articles, Antifederalists were concerned about the strong central government proposed in the new Constitution, fearing a return to tyranny. Despite this, the ratification of the Constitution followed, after altering the process to require the consent of only nine states rather than unanimous agreement, and establishing special conventions for this purpose.
Indeed, while all fourteen states did eventually ratify the Articles of Confederation, it became clear that reform was necessary. It wasn't the ratification that was the issue—it was the effectiveness of the Articles that was in question, leading to their replacement with the stronger framework provided by the Constitution of the United States.