What characterized the political structure under the Articles of Confederation?

The political structure under the Articles of Confederation was characterized by independent and sovereign states, which is why this choice is the correct answer. After the Revolutionary War, there was a profound distrust of a strong central authority, leading to the establishment of a system where states retained most of their powers and operated largely independently of one another. The Articles created a loose confederation, emphasizing state sovereignty and allowing each state to govern itself with significant autonomy.

This arrangement resulted in a weak central government that lacked the authority to impose taxes or regulate trade effectively, leading to various challenges in governance and economic stability. Each state had its own laws and operated under its own constitution, reinforcing the notion of independence.