In 1783, the United States had won their independence from Britain. The newly-independent States were linked only by a weak and ineffectual congress, established by the Articles of Confederation. The Articles created a weak union, with little prestige, which was often ignored by the state governments. Conflicts over western territories, disputes over trade tariffs, and non-convertible currencies strained the infant nation. While many historians believe that the proposed Constitution could have created a stronger union, it did not get to prove itself, as it failed to achieve the required 9 state ratifications.