Which of the following best describes the role of the Articles of Confederation in U.S. history?

The Articles of Confederation served as the first constitution of the United States, functioning as the governing document from 1781 until it was replaced by the current Constitution in 1789. The Articles were a response to the need for a central authority during and after the American Revolution, providing a framework for cooperation among the states. While they did create a confederation of sovereign states that worked together on certain issues, they ultimately proved to be inadequate for managing the complexities of governance in a newly independent nation. This recognition of their limitations culminated in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. The Articles' primary significance lies in their role as the initial attempt to unify the states under a centralized government, highlighting the challenges faced in creating an effective system of governance.