What does the loose league of friendship mean?

The "loose league of friendship" refers to the Articles of Confederation, the first governing document of the United States, which emphasized a weak central government and strong state sovereignty. This phrase highlights the intention of the founding states to maintain their independence while cooperating on matters of mutual interest, such as defense and trade. However, this loose arrangement ultimately proved ineffective, leading to challenges in governance and prompting the creation of the U.S. Constitution to establish a stronger federal structure.