> ## The First Republic (Roughly 1776–1789): The Era of Spoiled Colonial Liberty ## > > "This was the Articles of Confederation era—a decentralized alliance of sovereign states wary of strong central authority. No powerful executive, no national courts dictating to states, minimal taxation, or standing army. It was messy, often ineffective, but it reflected the revolutionary spirit: power close to the people, voluntary association over coerced unity." https://mises.org/mises-wire/spoiled-sons-liberty-surveillance-leviathan-americas-six-republics-and-myth-eternal-union#:~:text=The%20First%20Republic,over%20coerced%20unity The US #GovtIsTheProblem