Was there a National Defense System before the Constitution?

The correct answer highlights that the National Defense System before the Constitution was very limited. After the American Revolution, the Articles of Confederation provided a loose framework of government but did not establish a strong national military or defense system. Each state maintained its own militia, but there was no coordinated national defense strategy or standing army. The lack of centralized authority made it difficult to respond effectively to threats, leading to concerns that spurred the drafting of the Constitution, which allowed for a stronger federal military.

This context clarifies that while some form of defense existed through state militias, it was insufficient and not well-organized, thus substantiating the choice that indicates a minimal defense system before the Constitution was adopted.