Civic Literacy Practice Test 2025 - Free Civic Literacy Questions and Study Guide

The Articles of Confederation served as the initial governing document for the newly independent United States and laid the foundation for a state-centered government. It emphasized the sovereignty of individual states and created a loose confederation of states that retained most of their power and autonomy. Under the Articles, the central government was intentionally limited, lacking the authority to levy taxes or regulate commerce, which reflected a strong emphasis on state power over federal authority.

This structure was a direct response to the colonies' experience under British rule, where a powerful central government had restricted their rights. Therefore, the Articles aimed to ensure that state governments were dominant, allowing them to govern themselves without significant interference from a national government.

In contrast, the Constitution introduced a stronger federal framework that balanced power between the federal government and the states. The Bill of Rights focuses primarily on protecting individual liberties, while Common Sense was a pamphlet advocating for independence from Britain without providing any specific governmental framework. Therefore, the Articles of Confederation clearly represents the outline for a state-centered government.