Articles of Confederation

Summary of the Articles of Confederation

As the delegates to the Second Continental Congress were drafting the Declaration of Independence, they were also developing a plan for unifying the thirteen colonies to defeat Great Britain. In the summer of 1776, a committee composed of one delegate from each colony drafted the Articles of Confederation, America’s first constitution. Although the document created a weak central government compared to the federal government established by the current Constitution, the Articles successfully created a “firm league of friendship” that guided the emerging nation through its fledgling years.

Articles of Confederation — Quick Facts

• On June 11, 1776, the Second Continental Congress appointed a committee, composed of one representative from each colony, to draft a document forming a confederation of the 13 colonies.
• John Dickinson, a delegate from Delaware, was the principal writer of the draft document.
• Adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777.
• As adopted, the articles contained a preamble and 13 articles.
• Became effective when ratified by the 13th and final state (Maryland) on March 1, 1781.
• Established a Confederation Congress with each state having one vote.
• Measures passed by Congress had to be approved by 9 of the 13 states.
• Did not establish federal executive or judicial branches of government.
• Each state retained “every Power…which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States.”
• Provided Congress with the powers to conduct foreign affairs, declare war or peace, maintain an army and navy, print money, resolve disputes between states, and a variety of other lesser functions.
• Denied Congress the power to collect taxes, regulate interstate commerce and enforce laws.
• All 13 states had to agree to any amendment of the federal government’s power.
• Replaced by the current U.S. Constitution on March 4, 1789.