The Articles of Confederation became effective as the United States’ national framework on March 1, 1781.
Congress finalized the Articles on November 15, 1777, but they required ratification by every state. Twelve states approved them relatively early, while Maryland withheld ratification because of disputes over western land claims held by other states. Maryland’s approval completed the process in February 1781, and Congress announced the Articles’ effectiveness on March 1.
The Articles created a loose confederation in which the states retained substantial authority. Congress could conduct diplomacy, declare war, and manage western territories, but it lacked dependable power to tax individuals or regulate interstate commerce.
The resulting weaknesses helped motivate the Constitutional Convention of 1787. The United States Constitution replaced the Articles’ governmental system on March 4, 1789. The Articles therefore governed the country during the Revolutionary War’s final years and the first postwar period.