November 15, 1777 - Articles of Confederation Adopted
The Continental Congress passes the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, forming the United States of America. Following ratification by the 13 states, the Articles are the first governing document of the new nation. The document gives each state one representative vote in the Congress of the Confederation, and establishes the power of the Congress to make war, negotiate diplomatic agreements, print money, and borrow funds both inside and outside the United States. The Articles will be replaced in 1789, when the United States Constitution goes into effect.
Related resources:
- Audio: The Power of the Purse: Can Congress Use it to Control Speech? (Justice Talking)
- Primary Documents in American History: The Articles of Confederation (Library of Congress)
- The U.S. Constitution (FindLaw)
