Which of the following statements is true about the Articles of Confederation?

The statement that the Articles of Confederation allowed states to act independently accurately reflects one of its foundational principles. Under the Articles, which were adopted during a time when the new nation was wary of centralized authority, individual states retained significant autonomy and were essentially given the freedom to govern themselves. This decentralized structure meant that each state could make its own decisions regarding laws, trade, and other governance matters, leading to a loose alliance where the national government had limited power.

This independent action by states often resulted in economic and political challenges, as there was no strong national framework to facilitate cooperation or address issues that transcended state borders. The preference for state sovereignty was a direct reaction to the experiences of colonial rule, where a strong central authority had imposed tight control over the colonies. Thus, while this structure aimed to prevent tyranny, it ultimately highlighted the need for a more balanced approach to federalism, which was later addressed in the Constitution.