The best explanation of the benefits of the Articles of Confederation from the options provided is:
The Articles of Confederation contributed to an increasing sense of national unity.
While the Articles had several shortcomings, one of their benefits was that they laid the groundwork for a unified government, helping the states recognize the importance of working together for common goals. However, it is important to note that the Articles of Confederation did not establish a strong national government, nor did they adequately balance power between state and federal authorities, which ultimately led to their replacement by the U.S. Constitution.