Final answer:
No, a strong central government did not exist under the Articles of Confederation. The federal government created by the Articles was quite weak in comparison to the states. The weaknesses of the Articles led to the formation of the U.S. Constitution, which provided the federal government with more powers and authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
No, a strong central government did not exist under the Articles of Confederation. The federal government created by the Articles was quite weak in comparison to the states. It lacked the power to raise an army or navy, had limited authority to make treaties or declare war, and had to depend on the states for soldiers and financial support. This weakness led to numerous problems and limitations in the functioning of the central government.
For example, the central government was unable to effectively address issues such as servicing the war debt, resolving commercial disputes among states, negotiating trade agreements with other countries, and dealing with popular uprisings like Shays' Rebellion. These shortcomings became evident soon after the ratification of the Articles and highlighted the need for a stronger central government.
The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation ultimately led to the Constitutional Convention, where the Founders created a new system that struck a balance between a strong central government and independent states. This resulted in the U.S. Constitution, which provided the federal government with more powers and authority to govern effectively.