The lack of a centralized military refers to the absence of a unified armed force under the Articles of Confederation. Each state had its own militia, which made it difficult for the national government to respond effectively to threats.
Related terms
State militias: Localized armed forces maintained by individual states.
Confederation: A loose association or alliance between states with limited central authority.
National government: The governing body that represents an entire country and has authority over all states within it.