The Articles of Confederation was the United States' first attempt at a constitution. It was a plan of union for the original thirteen states. It set up the government and was in use from 1781 until 1789. The Articles of Confederation put all the power in the hands of the states and not much power in the federal government. For example, the federal government couldn't charge taxes and couldn't raise an army. It had to rely on the states and their militias. In 1787, the Constitutional Convention met to improve the Articles. Instead, they wound up drafting a whole new document and establishing a much stronger national government. According to this passage, the Articles of the Confederation A created a strong federal government. B are still in use today in the United States. C did not allow the federal government to collect taxes. D established a national, professional army to defend the country.