Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation, formally the Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union, was a document signed amongst the 13 original colonies that established the United States of America as a confederation of sovereign states and served as its first constitution. Its drafting by a committee appointed by the Second Continental Congress began on July 12, 1776, and an approved version was sent to the states for ratification in late 1777. The formal ratification by all 13 states was completed in early 1781. Even when not yet ratified, the Articles provided domestic and international legitimacy for the Continental Congress to direct the American Revolutionary War, conduct diplomacy with Europe and deal with territorial issues and Native American relations. Nevertheless, the weakness of the government created by the Articles became a matter of concern for key nationalists. On March 4, 1789, general government under the Articles was replaced with the federal government under the U.S. Constitution. The new Constitution provided for a much stronger federal government with a chief executive (the president), courts, and taxing powers.
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American History USA Articles
- The Three-Fifths Compromise, Black Personhood, and Southern Representation
As a compromise between northern and southern delegates, slaves were counted as three-fifths of a person towards Congressional representation. - Are the Causes of Shays' Rebellion Fairly Portrayed?
Was this rebellion any more radical or extreme than the American Revolution had been in 1775? Were there just resentments behind the violence? - After Yorktown: The Integrity of George Washington
George Washington is often not given the full credit due to him for holding the United States together as a republic in the aftermath of Yorktown. - The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 and its Effects
The Northwest Ordinance defined the Midwest region, both physically and legally. It's protection of the individual foreshadowed the Bill of Rights.
Books/Sources
- The Articles of Confederation (with linked TOC) - Various
- Why the Articles of Confederation Failed - CL Gammon
Youtube
- Articles of Confederation versus the Constitution (by Sheldon Richman)
- The Articles of Confederation Audiobook