The Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation was the document that gave the United States their name. The Second Continental Congress was made so that they could create the first national government for the United States. They made the Committee of Thirteen, a group of members from each colony. The Committee was assigned to make and discuss the Articles of Confederation.

The Articles of Confederation was a document made by the Congress that said that the congress had limited power. It said that each state had one vote in the Congress. The Congress could settle conflicts with other states. They could make coins, and borrow money, as well as making treaties with other countries and with the Indians. The Congress also had the power to ask for money and soldiers from the states, but was not allowed to force the states to give it to them. The Articles were passed on November 15, 1777. They sent the articles to each state and waited for approval of the documents.

All states approved except Maryland who was unsure about what they were going to do with all the western land. Since Maryland was a small state on the east coast, if the states expanded to the west, it could not get any new territory and would be a very small state. Thomas Jefferson assured that the west lands would be made into new states instead. Maryland then gave its agreement and the first national government was formed. This is how the colonies became states.

I think that it took a lot of patience and cooperation to establish the government. Today, with all to controversy about politics, could we have done it again? The Congress even made the Articles during the middle of a war. Back then, people understood the importance of cooperation. Now, as I had observed when we had tried to form one, people never change their minds because they believe what they say is always right. Cooperation was the key to making the Articles.