5-16 Articles of the Confederation

As the United Colonies fought the Revolutionary War to be free from England's rule, they needed a document to govern the lands then struggling to become a new nation.  The Articles of the Confederation became the first national constitution of the United States in March of 1781.

The Articles of the Confederation established the first government of the United States.  Each of the thirteen states would be given one vote in Congress regardless of the size of the state or the population of the state.  A law would be passed when nine of the thirteen states agreed on the law.

The new congress had the power to declare war, make treaties, make money, borrow money, create post offices, add new states, and create and support an army and navy.  The new congress could not tax the states.  It could not interfere with trade between the states.

The founding fathers were very fearful of creating a new "king" in the United States.  For this reason there was no executive to carry out the laws passed by congress and ultimately there was much confusion.  Without an executive, congress could not function effectively.

In 1786, a convention of five of the thirteen states was held in Annapolis, Maryland.  There was not enough representation to change the Articles of the Confederation.  In May of 1787, Congress held a convention in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of the Confederation.  The U.S. Constitution was created.

Complete the following questions.

What war was fought to free the colonies from the rule of England?
The War.

The first national constitution of the United States, the of the  , was written in March of 1781.

Each of the thirteen states was given vote.

A new law would be passed when of the thirteen states agreed on the law.

The new congress could not tax the .

The founding fathers were very fearful of creating a new "" in the United States.

Congress did not function effectively because there was no .

In 1786, a convention of five of the thirteen states was held in , Maryland.

The U.S. Constitution was created in in May of 1787.