Confederation, Articles

of, the first Constitution of the United States. On the same day on which the Continental Congre appointed a committee to frame a declaration of independence, it appointed another to prepare articles of confederation. The committee soon reported a scheme. But it was not till November 15, 1777, that Congre adopted the “‘ Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union.’» The articles provided for a single-chambered Congre , with limited powers over war, peace, foreign affairs, coin, weights and measures, Indians and postal arrangements; it could raise money only by requisitions upon the States. In it each State had but one vote. Nine votes were nece ary for the most important acts. Ratification by every State was nece ary, and was not secured till March 1, 1781. The articles then went into operation. Their leading defects were, that they left too much power to the States, and left Congre entirely dependent upon them for money and the enforcement of its decrees; that they did not operate on individuals, nor prevent the violation of treaty obligations, nor command respect abroad, nor ensure tranquillity at home; and that they could not be amended save by consent of every State. After vain efforts to secure such consent to amendments which would at least have enabled the government to pay its debts, it became obvious that more drastic alterations were nece ary. Accordingly the Anna polis Convention of 1786 called the Philadelphia Convention of 1787, and the atticles were superseded by a better Constitution.