The Articles of Confederation, officially the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, was an agreement and early body of law in the Thirteen Colonies, which served as the nation's first frame of government during the American Revolution. It was debated by the Second Continental Congress at present-day Independence Hall in Philadelphia between July 1776 and November 1777, was finalized by the Congress on November 15, 1777, and came into force on March 1, 1781, after being ratified by all 13 colonial states. A central and guiding principle of the Articles was the establishment and preservation of the independence and sovereignty of the original 13 states.
Virginia becomes the first state to ratify the Articles of Confederation (the first US constitution)
The Articles of Confederation, officially the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, was an agreement and early body of law in the Thirteen Colonies, which served as the nation's first frame...
Historical Significance
The Articles of Confederation, officially the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, was an agreement and early body of law in the Thirteen Colonies, which served as the nation's first frame of government during the American Revolution.
Events Before
United States Declaration of Independence
The Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence, announcing the separation of the thirteen American colonies from Great Britain.
"Common Sense" pamphlet by Thomas Paine is published advocating American independence
Common Sense is a 47-page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775–1776 advocating independence from Great Britain to people in the Thirteen Colonies.
Adam Smith publishes the influential economics book "The Wealth of Nations"
Adam Smith (baptised 16 June [O.S. 5 June] 1723 – 17 July 1790) was a Scottish economist and philosopher who was a pioneer in the field of political economy and key figure during the Scottish…
Continental Congress creates committee to draft a Declaration of Independence with Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjami
Continental Congress creates committee to draft a Declaration of Independence with Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston as members
Continental Congress resolves "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be Free and Independent States"
The United Colonies of North-America was the official name as used by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia for the newly formed proto-state comprising the Thirteen Colonies in 1775 and...
Events After
Treaty of Amity and Commerce and the Treaty of Alliance are signed in Paris between the United States and France, the fi
Treaty of Amity and Commerce and the Treaty of Alliance are signed in Paris between the United States and France, the first treaties negotiated by the United States. The first treaty establishes formal diplomatic and commercial relations, and the second forms a defensive alliance.
American poet Phillis Wheatley (24) weds grocer and advocate for black rights John Peters
American poet Phillis Wheatley (24) weds grocer and advocate for black rights John Peters
Naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (34) weds Marie Anne Rosalie Delaporte
Naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (34) weds Marie Anne Rosalie Delaporte
British explorer Captain James Cook is the first European to visit Maui in the Sandwich Islands (now Hawaii)
The history of Hawaii began with the discovery and settlement of the Hawaiian Islands by Polynesian people between 940 and 1200 AD.
1st American military court martial trial begins in Cambridge, Massachusetts
The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was the armed conflict that comprised the final eight years...
More from the 1770s
United States Declaration of Independence
The Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence, announcing the separation of the thirteen American colonies from Great Britain.
politics government
US founding father Thomas Jefferson (30) marries Martha Wayles Skelton (23)
Martha Skelton Jefferson was the wife of Thomas Jefferson from 1772 until her death in 1782. She served as First Lady of Virginia during Jefferson's term as governor from 1779 to 1781.
Date of action in Victor Herbert and Grant Stewart's opera "Madeleine"
Date of action in Victor Herbert and Grant Stewart's opera "Madeleine"
The London Credit Exchange Company issues the first traveler's cheques, which can be used in 90 European cities
The London Credit Exchange Company issues the first traveler's cheques, which can be used in 90 European cities
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on December 16, 1777?
- The Articles of Confederation, officially the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, was an agreement and early body of law in the Thirteen Colonies, which served as the nation's first frame of government during the American Revolution. It was debated by the Second Continental Congress at present-day Independence Hall in Philadelphia between July 1776 and November 1777, was finalized by the Congress on November 15, 1777, and came into force on March 1, 1781, after being ratified by all 13 colonial states. A central and guiding principle of the Articles was the establishment and preservation of the independence and sovereignty of the original 13 states.
- Why is Virginia becomes the first state to ratify the Articles of Confederation (the... significant?
- The Articles of Confederation, officially the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, was an agreement and early body of law in the Thirteen Colonies, which served as the nation's first frame of government during the American Revolution.