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[[File:Articles-of-confederation.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Articles of Confederation]]

[[File:Articles-of-confederation.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Articles of Confederation]]

The '''Articles of Confederation''', written in 1777, ratified by the colonies March 1, 1781, established the [[United States of America]]. Signed by [[John Dickenson]], [[Benjamin Franklin]], [[Roger Sherman]] and other future [[Framers]] of the [[U.S. Constitution]], the Articles instituted a perpetual union of the [[thirteen colonies]] into a confederation that could operate unitarily in times of war.  The new national government consisted only of a [[Legislature]], with one vote per state. A 3/4 vote was required to pass laws, and amendments required unanimous voting.

The '''Articles of Confederation''', written in [[1777]], ratified by the colonies March 1, 1781, established the [[United States of America]]. Signed by [[John Dickenson]], [[Benjamin Franklin]], [[Roger Sherman]] and other future [[Framers]] of the [[U.S. Constitution]], the Articles instituted a perpetual union of the [[thirteen colonies]] into a confederation that could operate unitarily in times of [[war]].  The new [[Federal government|national government]] consisted only of a [[Legislature]], with one vote per state. A 3/4 vote was required to pass [[laws]], and amendments required unanimous voting.

The Articles of Confederation invoked spiritual guidance:  

The Articles of Confederation invoked spiritual guidance:  

:Whereas the delegates of the United States of America in Congress assembled did on the fifteenth day of November in the Year of Our Lord 1777, and in the second year of the independence of America agree on certain Articles of Confederation and perpetual union between the States ...

:Whereas the delegates of the United States of America in [[Congress]] assembled did on the fifteenth day of November in the [[Year of Our Lord]] 1777, and in the second year of the [[Declaration of Independence|independence of America]] agree on certain Articles of Confederation and perpetual [[union]] between the [[States]] ...

:The said states hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force ... or attacks made upon them ... on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense. ...

:The said states hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common [[defense]], the security of their [[liberties]], and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force ... or attacks made upon them ... on account of [[religion]], [[sovereignty]], [[trade]], or any other pretense. ...

:It has pleased the Great Governor of the World to incline the hearts of the Legislatures we respectively represent in Congress, to approve of and to authorize us to ratify the said Articles of Confederation.

:It has pleased the [[God|Great Governor of the World]] to incline the hearts of the [[Legislature]]s we respectively represent in Congress, to approve of and to authorize us to [[ratify]] the said Articles of Confederation.

The Articles of Confederation were primarily an agreement among States (it has virtually no references to the "people" in terms of political power), while the U.S. Constitution was primarily an agreement among people ("We the People ....")

The Articles of Confederation were primarily an agreement among States (it has virtually no references to the "[[people]]" in terms of political power), while the U.S. Constitution was primarily an agreement among people ("[[We the People]] ....")

==Strengths and Successes==

==Strengths and Successes==

====[[Land Ordinance of 1785]]====

====[[Land Ordinance of 1785]]====

This law dictated that all states give up their claims to western lands. The [[Northwest Territory]] was then set up from these lands. Townships were to be surveyed before settlement. This provided the northwest with efficient and orderly towns, unlike the land claims in the trans-Appalachian south, which were often haphazard and led to often violent conflicts.

This law dictated that all states give up their claims to western lands. The [[Northwest Territory]] was then set up from these lands. Townships were to be surveyed before settlement. This provided the northwest with efficient and orderly towns, unlike the land claims in the trans-[[Appalachia]]n south, which were often haphazard and led to often violent conflicts.

 

====[[The Northwest Ordinance]]====

====[[The Northwest Ordinance]]====

The Northwest Ordinance set up a method of governing the western territories, and a gradual system of how to admit territories as [[States of the United States of America|states]]. When a territory had a population of 1-5000, Congress made laws that were enforced by a territorial governor. When population surpassed this mark, residents could elect territorial legislatures. When population reached 60,000, the territory was able to apply for statehood by writing a state constitution that was to be approved by Congress then ratified by the territory's voters. Then Congress would vote whether or not to admit the territory into the Union.

The Northwest Ordinance set up a method of governing the western territories, and a gradual system of how to admit territories as [[States of the United States of America|states]]. When a territory had a population of 1-5000, Congress made laws that were enforced by a territorial [[governor]]. When population surpassed this mark, residents could elect territorial legislatures. When population reached 60,000, the territory was able to apply for statehood by writing a [[state constitution]] that was to be approved by Congress then ratified by the territory's [[voter]]s. Then Congress would vote whether or not to admit the territory into the Union.

==Weaknesses and Failures==

==Weaknesses and Failures==

Though the Articles did have two early successes, its weaknesses were far greater. It established no executive to enforce laws, no army or navy, no judiciary, no national currency, could not regulate trade, no way to collect taxes, and foreign policy was impossible. At the Mount Vernon Conference in 1785, [[George Washington]] called together elite statesmen (including [[Alexander Hamilton]], [[James Madison]], and [[George Mason]]) to discuss the Articles. At the Conference, they decided they were a failure and needed to be rewritten, calling for an Annapolis Convention the next year. At the Convention, only five states sent delegates. They proposed to meet in [[Philadelphia]] the next year.

Though the Articles did have two early successes, its weaknesses were far greater. It established no [[executive]] to enforce laws, no [[army]] or [[navy]], no [[judiciary]], no national [[currency]], could not regulate [[trade]], no way to collect [[taxes]], and [[foreign policy]] was impossible. At the [[Mount Vernon]] Conference in 1785, [[George Washington]] called together elite statesmen (including [[Alexander Hamilton]], [[James Madison]], and [[George Mason]]) to discuss the Articles. At the Conference, they decided they were a failure and needed to be rewritten, calling for an Annapolis Convention the next year. At the Convention, only five states sent delegates. They proposed to meet in [[Philadelphia]] the next year.

 

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==Text of the Articles of Confederation==

==Text of the Articles of Confederation==

To all to whom these Presents shall come, we the undersigned Delegates of the States affixed to our Names send greeting.  

To all to whom these Presents shall come, we the undersigned Delegates of the States affixed to our Names send greeting.  

Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts-bay Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.  

Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the states of [[New Hampshire]], [[Massachusetts]]-bay [[Rhode Island]] and Providence Plantations, [[Connecticut]], [[New York]], [[New Jersey]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[Delaware]], [[Maryland]], [[Virginia]], [[North Carolina]], [[South Carolina]] and [[Georgia]].  

I.

I.

II.

II.

Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.  

Each state retains its [[States' rights|sovereignty]]<ref>See [[Tenth Amendment]] to the [[United States Constitution]] which more clearly elaborated the [[States' rights]]</ref>, [[freedom]], and [[independence]], and every power, jurisdiction, and [[inalienable rights|right]], which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.  

III.

III.

The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense whatever.  

The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their [[common defense]], the [[security]] of their [[liberties]], and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of [[religion]], [[sovereignty]], [[trade]], or any other pretense whatever.  

IV.

IV.

The better to secure and perpetuate mutual friendship and intercourse among the people of the different States in this Union, the free inhabitants of each of these States, paupers, vagabonds, and fugitives from justice excepted, shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of free citizens in the several States; and the people of each State shall free ingress and regress to and from any other State, and shall enjoy therein all the privileges of trade and commerce, subject to the same duties, impositions, and restrictions as the inhabitants thereof respectively, provided that such restrictions shall not extend so far as to prevent the removal of property imported into any State, to any other State, of which the owner is an inhabitant; provided also that no imposition, duties or restriction shall be laid by any State, on the property of the United States, or either of them.  

The better to secure and perpetuate mutual friendship and intercourse among [[the people]] of the different States in this Union, the free inhabitants of each of these States, paupers, vagabonds, and fugitives from justice excepted, shall be entitled to all [[privilege]]s and immunities of free [[citizen]]s in the several States; and the people of each State shall free ingress and regress to and from any other State, and shall enjoy therein all the privileges of trade and [[commerce]], subject to the same duties, impositions, and restrictions as the inhabitants thereof respectively, provided that such restrictions shall not extend so far as to prevent the removal of [[private property|property]] imported into any State, to any other State, of which the owner is an inhabitant; provided also that no imposition, duties or restriction shall be laid by any State, on the property of the United States, or either of them.  

If any person guilty of, or charged with, treason, felony, or other high misdemeanor in any State, shall flee from justice, and be found in any of the United States, he shall, upon demand of the Governor or executive power of the State from which he fled, be delivered up and removed to the State having jurisdiction of his offense.  

If any person guilty of, or charged with, [[treason]], [[felony]], or other high [[misdemeanor]] in any State, shall flee from justice, and be found in any of the United States, he shall, upon demand of the [[Governor]] or executive power of the State from which he fled, be delivered up and removed to the State having jurisdiction of his offense.  

Full faith and credit shall be given in each of these States to the records, acts, and judicial proceedings of the courts and magistrates of every other State.  

Full faith and credit shall be given in each of these States to the records, acts, and judicial proceedings of the [[courts]] and magistrates of every other State.  

V.

V.

For the most convenient management of the general interests of the United States, delegates shall be annually appointed in such manner as the legislatures of each State shall direct, to meet in Congress on the first Monday in November, in every year, with a power reserved to each State to recall its delegates, or any of them, at any time within the year, and to send others in their stead for the remainder of the year.  

For the most convenient management of the general interests of the United States, delegates shall be annually appointed in such manner as the [[legislature]]s of each State shall direct, to meet in [[Congress]] on the first Monday in November, in every year, with a power reserved to each State to [[recall]] its delegates, or any of them, at any time within the year, and to send others in their stead for the remainder of the year.  

No State shall be represented in Congress by less than two, nor more than seven members; and no person shall be capable of being a delegate for more than three years in any term of six years; nor shall any person, being a delegate, be capable of holding any office under the United States, for which he, or another for his benefit, receives any salary, fees or emolument of any kind.  

No State shall be represented in Congress by less than two, nor more than seven members; and no person shall be capable of being a delegate [[term limits|for more than three years]] in any term of six years; nor shall any person, being a delegate, be capable of holding any office under the United States, for which he, or another for his benefit, receives any salary, fees or emolument of any kind.  

Each State shall maintain its own delegates in a meeting of the States, and while they act as members of the committee of the States.  

Each State shall maintain its own delegates in a meeting of the States, and while they act as members of the committee of the States.  

In determining questions in the United States in Congress assembled, each State shall have one vote.  

In determining questions in the United States in Congress assembled, each State shall have one vote.  

Freedom of speech and debate in Congress shall not be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Congress, and the members of Congress shall be protected in their persons from arrests or imprisonments, during the time of their going to and from, and attendence on Congress, except for treason, felony, or [[breach]] of the peace.  

[[Freedom of speech]] and debate in Congress shall not be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Congress, and the members of Congress shall be protected in their persons from arrests or imprisonments, during the time of their going to and from, and attendence on Congress, except for treason, felony, or [[breach]] of the peace.  

VI.

VI.

No State, without the consent of the United States in Congress assembled, shall send any embassy to, or receive any embassy from, or enter into any conference, agreement, alliance or treaty with any King, Prince or State; nor shall any person holding any office of profit or trust under the United States, or any of them, accept any present, emolument, office or title of any kind whatever from any King, Prince or foreign State; nor shall the United States in Congress assembled, or any of them, grant any title of nobility.  

No State, without the consent of the United States in Congress assembled, shall send any embassy to, or receive any embassy from, or enter into any conference, agreement, alliance or [[treaty]] with any King, Prince or State; nor shall any person holding any office of profit or trust under the United States, or any of them, accept any present, emolument, office or title of any kind whatever from any King, Prince or foreign State; nor shall the United States in Congress assembled, or any of them, grant any title of nobility.  

No two or more States shall enter into any treaty, confederation or alliance whatever between them, without the consent of the United States in Congress assembled, specifying accurately the purposes for which the same is to be entered into, and how long it shall continue.  

No two or more States shall enter into any treaty, confederation or alliance whatever between them, without the consent of the United States in Congress assembled, specifying accurately the purposes for which the same is to be entered into, and how long it shall continue.  

No State shall lay any imposts or duties, which may interfere with any stipulations in treaties, entered into by the United States in Congress assembled, with any King, Prince or State, in pursuance of any treaties already proposed by Congress, to the courts of France and Spain.  

No State shall lay any imposts or duties, which may interfere with any stipulations in treaties, entered into by the United States in Congress assembled, with any King, Prince or State, in pursuance of any treaties already proposed by Congress, to the courts of [[France]] and [[Spain]].  

No vessel of war shall be kept up in time of peace by any State, except such number only, as shall be deemed necessary by the United States in Congress assembled, for the defense of such State, or its trade; nor shall any body of forces be kept up by any State in time of peace, except such number only, as in the judgement of the United States in Congress assembled, shall be deemed requisite to garrison the forts necessary for the defense of such State; but every State shall always keep up a well-regulated and disciplined militia, sufficiently armed and accoutered, and shall provide and constantly have ready for use, in public stores, a due number of filed pieces and tents, and a proper quantity of arms, ammunition and camp equipage.  

No vessel of war shall be kept up in time of peace by any State, except such number only, as shall be deemed necessary by the United States in Congress assembled, for the defense of such State, or its trade; nor shall any body of forces be kept up by any State in time of peace, except such number only, as in the judgement of the United States in Congress assembled, shall be deemed requisite to garrison the forts necessary for the defense of such State; but every State shall always keep up a well-regulated and disciplined [[militia]], sufficiently armed and accoutered, and shall provide and constantly have ready for use, in public stores, a due number of filed pieces and tents, and a proper quantity of [arms]], [[ammunition]] and camp equipage.  

No State shall engage in any war without the consent of the United States in Congress assembled, unless such State be actually invaded by enemies, or shall have received certain advice of a resolution being formed by some nation of Indians to invade such State, and the danger is so imminent as not to admit of a delay till the United States in Congress assembled can be consulted; nor shall any State grant commissions to any ships or vessels of war, nor letters of marque or reprisal, except it be after a declaration of war by the United States in Congress assembled, and then only against the Kingdom or State and the subjects thereof, against which war has been so declared, and under such regulations as shall be established by the United States in Congress assembled, unless such State be infested by pirates, in which case vessels of war may be fitted out for that occasion, and kept so long as the danger shall continue, or until the United States in Congress assembled shall determine otherwise.  

No State shall engage in any [[war]] without the consent of the United States in Congress assembled, unless such State be actually invaded by enemies, or shall have received certain advice of a resolution being formed by some nation of [[Indians]] to invade such State, and the danger is so imminent as not to admit of a delay till the United States in Congress assembled can be consulted; nor shall any State grant commissions to any ships or vessels of war, nor letters of marque or reprisal, except it be after a [[declaration of war]] by the United States in Congress assembled, and then only against the Kingdom or State and the subjects thereof, against which war has been so declared, and under such regulations as shall be established by the United States in Congress assembled, unless such State be infested by [[pirate]]s, in which case vessels of war may be fitted out for that occasion, and kept so long as the danger shall continue, or until the United States in Congress assembled shall determine otherwise.  

VII.

VII.

*[http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llsl&fileName=001/llsl001.db&recNum=127 Facsimile of the Articles]

*[http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llsl&fileName=001/llsl001.db&recNum=127 Facsimile of the Articles]

[[Category:Founding Fathers]][[Category:American State Papers]]

[[Category:Founding Fathers]]

[[Category:American State Papers]]

[[Category:American Revolution]]

[[Category:American Revolution]]