The period of the Articles of Confederation and the transition to the United States Constitution marked a critical juncture in American history.
The Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1777 and ratified in 1781, were the first attempt at creating a unified government for the newly independent states.
However, their weaknesses and limitations became increasingly apparent, leading to a Constitutional Convention in 1787. During this convention, delegates drafted the United States Constitution, which established a stronger and more effective federal government.
This transition, from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution, shaped the course of American governance and set the stage for the development of the modern United States.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 11, 1776 | The Continental Congress appoints a committee to draft a plan of confederation. |
| July 12, 1776 | The committee presents the first draft of the Articles of Confederation, which undergoes several revisions over the next year. |
| November 15, 1777 | The Second Continental Congress adopts the Articles of Confederation and sends them to the states for ratification. |
| December 16, 1777 | New Jersey becomes the first state to ratify the Articles of Confederation. |
| February 1778 | Georgia becomes the 13th and final state to ratify the Articles of Confederation, officially establishing them as the first constitution of the United States. |
| March 1, 1781 | Maryland becomes the thirteenth and final state to ratify the Articles of Confederation, making them effective. |
| 1781-1789 | The Articles of Confederation serve as the governing document of the United States during this period. |
| 1783 | The Treaty of Paris is signed, officially ending the American Revolutionary War. The Articles of Confederation are in effect at this time. |
| 1786-1787 | Economic and political challenges, including the inability to raise revenue and maintain order, lead to unrest and Shays’ Rebellion in Massachusetts, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. |
| May 25-September 17, 1787 | The Constitutional Convention is held in Philadelphia to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation and draft a new constitution. |
| September 17, 1787 | The United States Constitution is adopted by the Constitutional Convention and sent to the states for ratification. |
| 1787-1788 | The ratification process for the U.S. Constitution takes place in the states, with the new constitution eventually gaining the necessary support from nine states to become effective. |
| March 4, 1789 | The United States Constitution goes into effect, replacing the Articles of Confederation as the supreme law of the land. |
Timeline of the Articles of Confederation
June 11, 1776: The Continental Congress appoints a committee to draft a plan of confederation
In June 1776, during the early stages of the American Revolution, the Continental Congress recognized the need for a formal framework to govern the 13 American colonies that were in the process of declaring their independence from British rule.
To address this need, the Congress appointed a committee, known as the Committee of Five, to draft a plan for a confederation, or a loose union of states. This committee consisted of notable figures such as John Dickinson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams.
July 12, 1776: The committee presents the first draft of the Articles of Confederation, which undergoes several revisions over the next year
Just a month after its formation, the Committee of Five presented its initial draft of the Articles of Confederation to the Continental Congress.
This first draft outlined a framework for a confederation, but it underwent extensive revisions and debates within Congress over the course of the next year.
Various concerns and differing opinions among the states had to be addressed to create a document that could be agreed upon by all.
November 15, 1777: The Second Continental Congress adopts the Articles of Confederation and sends them to the states for ratification
After significant deliberation and negotiation, the Second Continental Congress finally reached a consensus on the Articles of Confederation in November 1777.
The finalized document was adopted as the first constitution of the United States. However, it was not until December 1777 that the Congress officially sent the Articles of Confederation to the individual states for their ratification, as the states had to agree to this new system of government before it could take effect.
This ratification process took several years, with the last state, Maryland, ratifying it on March 1, 1781, making the Articles of Confederation the governing framework of the newly formed United States.
December 16, 1777: New Jersey becomes the first state to ratify the Articles of Confederation
On December 16, 1777, New Jersey became the first state to officially ratify the Articles of Confederation. Ratification by each state was a crucial step in the process of establishing the new framework of government for the United States.
New Jersey’s decision to ratify the Articles demonstrated its support for the concept of a confederation and marked the beginning of the ratification process by the individual states.
February 1778: Georgia becomes the 13th and final state to ratify the Articles of Confederation, officially establishing them as the first constitution of the United States
The process of securing ratification from all 13 states took several years. Georgia was the final state to ratify the Articles of Confederation, doing so in February 1778. With Georgia’s ratification, the Articles officially became the governing constitution of the United States.
This period marked the first time that the newly independent states had a unified framework for governance, albeit a relatively weak one.
March 1, 1781: Maryland becomes the thirteenth and final state to ratify the Articles of Confederation, making them effective
The Articles of Confederation went into full effect on March 1, 1781, when Maryland became the thirteenth and final state to ratify them. Maryland’s ratification was significant because it removed any remaining obstacles to the Articles’ implementation.
It established a central government with limited powers, primarily focused on foreign affairs and defense, but with significant limitations, including the inability to levy taxes or regulate commerce effectively.
The Articles of Confederation would remain in effect until the U.S. Constitution replaced them in 1789, following the Constitutional Convention and subsequent ratification by the states.
During this period, the United States faced numerous challenges and limitations under the Articles, eventually leading to the call for a stronger federal government and the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.
1781-1789: The Articles of Confederation serve as the governing document of the United States during this period
From 1781 to 1789, the Articles of Confederation served as the primary governing document of the United States. During this time, the central government established by the Articles was characterized by a weak and decentralized structure.
The Articles created a confederation of sovereign states with a limited federal government that had few powers. Some of the major features of this period included:
- Limited Federal Powers: The federal government under the Articles had limited authority and lacked the ability to raise revenue through taxes or regulate trade effectively. It relied on voluntary contributions from the states for its funding, which often proved inadequate.
- No Executive or Judicial Branch: The Articles did not establish an executive branch (president) or a federal judiciary. Instead, a unicameral legislature known as the Continental Congress served as the highest authority.
- Challenges and Weaknesses: The weaknesses of the Articles became increasingly evident during this period. The federal government struggled to maintain order, manage finances, and address interstate disputes. Issues such as economic instability, Shay’s Rebellion, and disputes over trade between the states highlighted these shortcomings.
1783: The Treaty of Paris is signed, officially ending the American Revolutionary War. The Articles of Confederation are in effect at this time
In 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed, officially ending the American Revolutionary War. The Articles of Confederation were the governing framework in place at the time of the treaty’s signing.
The treaty recognized the independence of the United States and established the boundaries of the new nation, including territory stretching to the Mississippi River.
1786-1787: Economic and political challenges, including the inability to raise revenue and maintain order, lead to unrest and Shays’ Rebellion in Massachusetts, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
During this period, the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation became increasingly evident. Economic instability, high debt, and the inability to raise revenue or maintain law and order led to unrest in several states, most notably in Massachusetts.
Shays’ Rebellion (1786-1787) was a significant event in this context, where a group of farmers led by Daniel Shays rebelled against the state government’s taxation and debt policies.
Also Read: Shays Rebellion Facts
The rebellion demonstrated the weaknesses of the federal government in responding to internal crises and maintaining domestic tranquility.
May 25-September 17, 1787: The Constitutional Convention is held in Philadelphia to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation and draft a new constitution
In response to the growing problems and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, a Constitutional Convention was convened in Philadelphia from May 25 to September 17, 1787.
Delegates from 12 of the 13 states (Rhode Island did not send representatives) gathered to address the shortcomings of the existing government and to draft a new constitution that would create a stronger and more effective federal government.
The result of this convention was the United States Constitution, which established the structure of the federal government as we know it today. The Constitution addressed many of the flaws and limitations of the Articles of Confederation and provided a more centralized and effective system of government.
September 17, 1787: The United States Constitution is adopted by the Constitutional Convention and sent to the states for ratification
On September 17, 1787, the delegates of the Constitutional Convention, after several months of deliberation and debate, signed the United States Constitution.
This document established a new framework for the federal government, addressing many of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
The Constitution created a stronger federal government with separate branches (executive, legislative, and judicial) and provided a system of checks and balances to prevent the concentration of power in any one branch.
After its adoption, the Constitution was sent to the individual states for ratification, beginning a process of state-by-state approval.
1787-1788: The ratification process for the U.S. Constitution takes place in the states, with the new constitution eventually gaining the necessary support from nine states to become effective
The ratification process for the U.S. Constitution was a critical phase in the establishment of the new government. The Constitution required approval by at least nine of the thirteen states to become effective.
Ratification debates occurred in state conventions, where supporters (known as Federalists) argued in favor of adopting the Constitution, while opponents (Anti-Federalists) expressed concerns and reservations.
The Federalist Papers, a series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, were instrumental in promoting the ratification of the Constitution. These essays explained and defended the principles and provisions of the Constitution.
Ultimately, by June 1788, the Constitution gained the necessary support from nine states, and it became the supreme law of the land in those states. The first nine states to ratify were Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and New Hampshire.
March 4, 1789: The United States Constitution goes into effect, replacing the Articles of Confederation as the supreme law of the land
On March 4, 1789, the United States Constitution officially went into effect. This marked the replacement of the Articles of Confederation as the governing document of the United States.
The Constitution created a more centralized and effective federal government, giving it the authority to levy taxes, regulate commerce, maintain a standing army, and conduct foreign affairs.
The transition from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution represented a significant step in the nation’s history, as it established the foundation for the modern U.S. government and the principles of federalism and separation of powers that continue to shape the country today.
George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States on April 30, 1789, under the new Constitution, and the federal government began its operations in New York City.