Under the Articles of Confederation, the government was prevented from establishing a strong central government. The Articles of Confederation created a loose confederation of states with a weak central government, which had limited powers and relied on the states for most decisions and actions. The central government could not impose taxes or regulate commerce, and it had no executive or judicial branch. The states retained their sovereignty, which meant that they could conduct their own affairs without interference from the central government. The limitations placed on the central government by the Articles of Confederation ultimately proved ineffective, and the Constitution was later written to establish a stronger federal government.