The articles created a very losely based country that would not survie also the states were in full control and they would not pay the federal goverment taxes which would have left the goverment broke
The Articles formed a weak confederation that united the Thirteen British North American Colonies, with the capacity to govern themselves almost only in times of war and emergencies.
The Articles supported the Continental Army and allowed the thirteen states to form a united front before the European powers. However, as a tool to build an effective government in times of war, it was a failure. Congress could make decisions, but did not have the power to apply them. Perhaps, the biggest setback was the requirement of unanimous approval of the 13 States to modify the articles.
I guess that at the 19th century, prisons were being built for the sole purpose of housing inmates. They were intended to deter people from committing crimes.
