What was the setup of the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781, established a loose alliance of the thirteen American states, creating a unicameral legislature known as the Continental Congress. Each state had one vote, regardless of size or population, and there was no executive branch or national judiciary. The central government had limited powers, primarily focused on foreign affairs and defense, while most authority remained with the states. This setup ultimately proved ineffective, leading to challenges such as economic instability and inability to enforce laws, which spurred the creation of the U.S. Constitution.