Final answer:
The AOC fell apart post-1781 due to its inability to levy taxes, leading to a national debt and economic woes, as well as its lack of power to regulate trade and enforce laws, highlighting the need for a stronger central government.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Articles of Confederation (AOC) was the first governing constitution of the United States post-Revolutionary War, and although it was in effect during the war, it led to a weak federal government after the war. The AOC lacked the power to levy taxes; it could only request money from the states, who often failed to fulfill these requests, thus leading to a significant national debt. The financial strain, coupled with the inability to regulate trade and enforce laws, caused the government to fall apart post-1781.
During the Revolutionary War, national unity was essential in fighting against Great Britain, and despite differences, the colonies managed some form of cooperation. However, after the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which formally ended the war, the Articles of Confederation proved inadequate for managing the country post-war. As a result, the nation experienced economic difficulties and political instability, signaling the need for a stronger central government, eventually leading to the Constitutional Convention and the formation of the U.S. Constitution.