Article of Confederation

The Continental Congress in Philadelphia Pennsylvania first drafted the Articles of Confederation in 1777. The Articles were then ratified in 1781. As adopted, the articles provided only for a "firm league of friendship" in which each of the 13 states expressly held "its sovereignty, freedom, and independence." The People of each state were given equal privileges and rights, freedom of movement was guaranteed, and procedures for the trials of accused criminals were outlined. The articles established a national …

…writing a new constitution. Fifty-five delegates representing 12 states attended at least part of the sessions. Thirty-four of them were lawyers; most of the others were planters or merchants. Noticeable absents were the revolutionary leaders of the effort for independence in 1775-76, such as John Adams, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson. On September 17 the Constitution was signed by 39 of the 42 delegates present. The last of the 13 states to ratify the Constitution was Rhode Island on May 29, 1790.