The Articles of Confederation became effective on March 1, 1781, as the first governing framework of the United States.
The document was drafted during the American Revolution by the Continental Congress. Congress approved the Articles on November 15, 1777, but they did not take effect until every state ratified them. Maryland’s approval completed the process in 1781, allowing the Articles to establish the Confederation formally.
Under the Articles, the national government had a single legislative body and no separate executive branch. Congress could conduct diplomacy, declare war, and manage western lands, but it could not impose taxes directly or regulate interstate commerce. Those limitations made it difficult to finance the government and respond consistently to national problems.
The Articles are often confused with the Declaration of Independence because both emerged during the Revolution. The Declaration announced separation from Britain in 1776; the Articles created a structure for governing the independent states. The Constitution replaced the Articles on March 4, 1789, after the states approved a stronger federal system.