What was the primary characteristic of government under the Articles of Confederation?

The primary characteristic of government under the Articles of Confederation was indeed a loose confederation of states. This framework was established following the American Revolution as the first governing document of the United States. The Articles of Confederation created a system that prioritized state sovereignty and autonomy, allowing individual states to retain significant power and independence.

The central government had very limited authority, unable to impose taxes or enforce laws directly upon the citizens; it could only request funds and troops from the states, which they were not obliged to provide. This resulted in a weak central government that struggled to govern effectively, leading to issues such as economic instability and difficulty in managing interstate relations. The structure was more focused on the cooperation of states rather than a strong, unified national government, which is why it is characterized as a loose confederation.

Subsequently, the weaknesses of this system prompted the eventual drafting of the U.S. Constitution, which aimed to create a more balanced distribution of power between state and federal authorities.