Because the British government had imposed taxes on colonists without representation, the drafters of the Articles of Confederation established strong state governments.
The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union was an agreement between the 13 original states of the United States of America. Submitted to the colonies in 1777, they were only ratified after every state had agreed to on 1781, it served as the first constitution.
The central government's power was kept restricted. The Confederation Congress could make decisions but lacked enforcement powers due to the inability to enact legislation without the unanimous vote of all states. As well, Congress was denied any powers of taxation, only allowing money requests to the states.
