Final answer:
The distrust in strong, national government after colonial times is evident in the establishment of the Articles of Confederation, which granted limited powers to the central government and emphasized state sovereignty. Option d is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The post-colonial distrust of strong, national governmental power is most clearly seen in the creation of the Articles of Confederation. In the aftermath of independence, the founding fathers wanted to prevent the kind of tyranny they experienced under British rule. Consequently, they established the Articles of Confederation, which granted limited powers to the national government, leaving most powers with the states.
The Articles made the national government subordinate and weak compared to the states, making it incapable of imposing taxes, regulating commerce, or raising a standing army effectively. These deficiencies highlighted the need for a stronger national government leading to the development of the U.S. Constitution.