The historical debate surrounding the Articles of Confederation primarily centers on their effectiveness in governing the newly independent United States. The Articles were adopted in 1781 but proved weak, as they did not give Congress enough power to levy taxes or regulate commerce effectively. Historians debate whether these weaknesses were a result of the founders' fear of central authority or simply misunderstanding the complexities of governance. Some argue that the Articles highlighted the need for a stronger federal government, leading to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where the U.S. Constitution was drafted, resolving many of the issues presented by the Articles.