So why is it the Articles of Confederation? Why not the Articles of Union or the Articles of Bromance?

As we noted in our handy-dandy Glossary section, the word "confederation" implies an alliance of independent entities coming together for a common purpose. Using the word Confederation reinforced the notion that this was supposed to be a government by the states, for the states. Remember, the national government of the Confederation was designed to remain relatively weak.

Later, when Southern states seceded and kicked off the Civil War, their choice of name—the Confederate States of America—was deliberately chosen to emphasize state autonomy. As a result of that decision, today the words "Confederacy" and "Confederation" are associated with secession and the legacy of Southern slavery.