The First U. S. Constitution
The Articles of Confederation
Drafting the Articles
• First drafted by John Dickinson, adopted
by Congress in 1777; approved by states
by 1781.
• Big impediment for adoption was the
debate over western lands; did large
states with sea-to-sea charters get to keep
their western lands? Md. wouldn’t ratify
until NY and VA ceded lands—done in
March 1781.
Features of Articles-1
• Establishes the name of the confederation as "The United States of America."
• Asserts the precedence of the separate states over the confederation
government, i.e. "Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and
independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this
Confederation expressly delegated."
• Establishes the United States as a league of states united ". . . 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 . . . ."
• Establishes freedom of movement–anyone can pass freely between states,
excluding "paupers, vagabonds, and fugitives from justice." All people are
entitled to the rights established by the state into which he travels. If a crime
is committed in one state and the perpetrator flees to another state, he will be
extradited to and tried in the state in which the crime was committed.
• Allocates one vote in the Congress of the Confederation (United States in
Congress Assembled) to each state, which was entitled to a delegation of
between two and seven members. Members of Congress were appointed by
state legislatures; individuals could not serve more than three out of any six
years.
Features of Articles-2
• Only the central government is allowed to conduct foreign relations
and to declare war. No states may have navies or standing armies, or
engage in war, without permission of Congress (although the state
militias are encouraged).
• When an army is raised for common defense, colonels and military
ranks below colonel will be named by the state legislatures.
• Expenditures by the United States will be paid by funds raised by state
legislatures, and apportioned to the states based on the real property
values of each.
• Defines the powers of the central government: to declare war, to set
weights and measures (including coins), and for Congress to serve as a
final court for disputes between states.
• Defines a Committee of the States to be a government when Congress
is not in session.
• Requires nine states to approve the admission of a new state into the
confederacy; pre-approves Canada, if it applies for membership.
• Reaffirms that the Confederation accepts war debt incurred by
Congress before the Articles.
• Declares that the Articles are perpetual, and can only be altered by
approval of Congress with ratification by all the state legislatures.
Presidents of the United States in
Congress Assembled
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Samuel Huntington (March 1, 1781 – July 9, 1781)
Thomas McKean (July 10, 1781 – November 4, 1781)
John Hanson (November 5, 1781 – November 3, 1782)
Elias Boudinot (November 4, 1782 – November 2, 1783)
Thomas Mifflin (November 3, 1783 – October 31, 1784)
Richard Henry Lee (November 30, 1784 – November 6,
1785)
John Hancock (November 23, 1785 – May 29, 1786)
Nathaniel Gorham (June 6, 1786 – November 5, 1786)
Arthur St. Clair (February 2, 1787 – November 4, 1787)
Cyrus Griffin (January 22, 1788 – November 2, 1788)
The Articles of Confederation
• Since they were replaced, most have
focused on its weaknesses, but under the
articles, there were important
achievements:
• Peace with Britain was secured (Treaty of
Paris, 1783)
• Western Land and Territorial Policy was
developed (Land Ordinance of 1785,
Northwest Ordinance of 1787)
Land Ordinance of 1785
• Survey and Sale
• Public Land into Private Hands
Northwest Ordinance
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Abolition of state claims
Admission of new states
Establishment of territorial government
Establishment of civil rights
Prohibition of slavery
Definition of the Midwest as a region
Effects on Native Americans