Eleanor Finch
The first constitutional document after the Revolutionary War was the Articles of Confederation, which created a loose confederation between the new states and established a weak central government with limited authority. However, the Articles were ineffective and failed to prevent disputes between the states over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade. This led to the calling of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, which resulted in the creation of a new system of government and the drafting of the United States Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the document | Articles of Confederation |
| Date of adoption | 1777 (ratified by Virginia, the first state to do so) |
| Date it became law | June 21, 1788 |
| Number of parchment pages | 4 |
| Number of words | 4,500 |
| Number of signatures | 39 |
| Type of government established | Weak central government |
| Powers given to the government | Make rules and request funds from the states |
| Powers not given to the government | Enforcement powers, regulate commerce, print money |
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What You'll Learn
The Articles of Confederation
The final draft of the Articles of Confederation was completed on November 15, 1777, and submitted to the states for ratification in late November 1777. The Articles required unanimous approval from the states, and Virginia was the first state to ratify on December 16, 1777. By February 1779, 12 states had ratified the Articles, with Maryland as the lone holdout, refusing to go along until the landed states, especially Virginia, had indicated they were prepared to cede their claims west of the Ohio River to the Union. Maryland finally ratified the Articles on February 2, 1781, and Congress was informed of its assent on March 1, officially proclaiming the Articles of Confederation to be the law of the land.
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The Albany Plan
The Albany Congress, which consisted of representatives from seven of the British North American colonies, met on June 19, 1754, in Albany, New York. The Congress discussed various plans for unification, ultimately selecting a proposal by Benjamin Franklin, a senior leader and delegate from Pennsylvania. Franklin's plan called for the creation of a general government, to be administered by a President-General appointed by the Crown, and a Grand Council, consisting of delegates nominated by the lower houses of the colonial assemblies. The Grand Council would be chosen by the representatives of the people of the colonies, with the number of members from each colony roughly proportional to its population, ranging from a minimum of two to a maximum of seven. The Grand Council would have the power to make treaties, raise army and naval forces, and impose taxes.
Despite its support among many colonial leaders, the Albany Plan ultimately failed to be implemented. Colonial governments rejected the plan or chose not to act on it, fearing that it would curb their authority and territorial rights. The British government also did not fully support the plan, believing that it gave too much power to the colonies while not fully addressing their military priorities. The colonial assemblies wanted more independence than the plan provided, while British officials preferred the colonies to focus on their military contributions rather than consolidating power.
Unraveling the Constitution's First Seven Words
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The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration justifies the independence of the United States by listing 27 colonial grievances against King George III and asserting certain natural and legal rights, including the right of revolution. It states that the 13 colonies were now "Free and Independent States", absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that any political connection between them and Great Britain was "totally dissolved".
The condition of the original parchment Declaration of Independence reflects its significance in American history. Years of public display have faded and worn the document. It has been carefully preserved and exhibited, along with the Constitution, at the Library of Congress since 1921.
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The Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress served as the provisional government of the U.S. during most of the Revolutionary War. It functioned as a de facto common government by raising armies, directing strategy, appointing diplomats, and making formal treaties. The Second Congress sent the Olive Branch Petition to King George III, established the Continental Army, and elected George Washington as commander of the new army. It also adopted a resolution for independence and approved the Declaration of Independence, which was drafted by Thomas Jefferson and approved on July 4, 1776.
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The Constitutional Convention
The first constitutional document after the Revolutionary War was the Articles of Confederation, which served as the written document establishing the functions of the national government of the United States after it declared independence from Great Britain. However, the Articles of Confederation created a weak central government that struggled to prevent individual states from conducting their own foreign diplomacy.
The convention was attended by 55 delegates, including many leading figures of the period, such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton. The delegates elected George Washington, a proponent of a stronger national government, to serve as president of the convention. The convention featured heated debates on several issues, including the role of the executive, slavery, and the insertion of a fugitive slave clause. The delegates also debated the division of federal authority between the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government, with the framers of the Constitution originally imagining a weak presidency and a strong legislature.
The convention ultimately resulted in the creation of the United States Constitution, which established a federal government with more specific powers, including the power to conduct relations with foreign governments. The Constitution was ratified in 1789 and has served as the basis of the United States Government ever since. It is one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world.
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Frequently asked questions
The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States after the Revolutionary War.
The Articles of Confederation established a weak central government and outlined the functions of the national government of the United States after it declared independence from Great Britain.
The Articles of Confederation gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it had no enforcement powers, couldn't regulate commerce, or print money.
The Constitution of the United States, which was drafted in 1787 and became law in 1788, replaced the Articles of Confederation.
