The Articles of Confederation

Summary

The Library of Congress holds a rare 1777 printing of the Articles of Confederation, the first U.S. Constitution. Drafted amid the War of Independence, it aimed to unite the thirteen states under a national government. Despite its flaws, like the requirement for unanimous state ratification and limited federal powers, it laid the groundwork for future governance, including the resolution of western land disputes and the establishment of a federal court system.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Library of Congress holds a 1777 printing of the Articles of Confederation, marking the first Constitution of the United States.
• 🖨️ Francis Bailey printed the Articles in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, after Congress's adoption on November 15, 1777.
• 🏛️ The Articles aimed to unite the thirteen states under a national government during the War of Independence.
• 📝 John Dickinson, a Pennsylvania lawyer, drafted the initial version of the Articles after extensive debate and amendment.
• 🗳️ Ratification required unanimous consent from all states, a process that concluded with Maryland's approval on March 1, 1781.
• 🌐 Under the Articles, the national government's power was centralized in a unicameral Congress, without a separate executive or judicial branch.
• 💼 The Congress of the Confederation had various powers, including declaring war, managing foreign affairs, and resolving inter-state disputes.
• 🏢 Each state had equal representation in Congress, and delegates were appointed by state legislatures with the possibility of recall.
• 💵 States were financially responsible for the government based on the value of their real property, with larger states contributing more.
• 🔄 The Articles had significant weaknesses, including the inability to enforce tax collection and the requirement of unanimous consent for major decisions.
• 🏛️ Despite flaws, the Articles led to important legislation like the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, influencing the future U.S. government structure.

Q & A

What is the significance of the 1777 printing of the Articles of Confederation in the Library of Congress collection?

The 1777 printing is significant because it represents the first appearance of the Articles of Confederation in print, marking the first Constitution of the United States.

Who was responsible for printing the Articles of Confederation, and where was it printed?

Francis Bailey was responsible for printing the Articles of Confederation in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

What was the role of Henry Laurens in relation to the Articles of Confederation?

Henry Laurens was the president of the Continental Congress from November 1, 1777 to December 9, 1778, and his inscription appears at the foot of the last printed page of the Library's copy of Bailey's Articles of Confederation.

Why was a united policy necessary during the War of Independence?

A united policy was necessary to draft and approve an organic document for a national government to unify the thirteen states.

Who prepared the initial draft of the Articles of Confederation?

Delegate John Dickinson, a well-known lawyer from Pennsylvania, prepared the initial draft.

What was the process for the ratification of the Articles of Confederation?

After Congress approved the draft and submitted it to the states for ratification on November 15, 1777, each state had to unanimously ratify it for it to come into effect.

What issue delayed the ratification of the Articles of Confederation?

A major issue that delayed ratification was the conflict over western land claims, with states like Maryland refusing to ratify until those claims were ceded to the new national government.

How was the power distributed under the Articles of Confederation?

Power was exclusively centered in the Congress, with no independent federal executive or judicial branch.

What were some of the powers held by the Congress of the Confederation?

The Congress had the power to declare war, maintain an army and navy, establish a postal service, create courts for prize cases, manage affairs with Native Americans, negotiate treaties, coin money, and resolve disputes among states.

What was unique about the representation in the Congress under the Articles of Confederation?

Each state received only one vote regardless of its size, meaning representation was not based on population.

What were the limitations of the Articles of Confederation?

The Congress could not force states to support the national government financially, had to get consent from nine states to exercise fundamental powers, and did not establish a permanent judiciary.

What was the outcome of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in relation to the Articles of Confederation?

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was convened due to the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, ultimately leading to the creation of the U.S. Constitution.