The Articles of Confederation were adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777, and later went into effect after full state ratification on March 1, 1781.

Quick Scoop

  • The Articles of Confederation were approved by the Second Continental Congress on November 15, 1777, as the first constitution of the United States.
  • They did not become fully effective until all 13 states ratified them, which happened on March 1, 1781.
  • The document then governed the United States until it was replaced by the current Constitution in 1789.

Key Dates

  • Drafting and debate: 1776–1777, during the American Revolution.
  • Adoption by Congress: November 15, 1777 (this is usually the answer to “when were the Articles of Confederation adopted?”).
  • Final state ratification and going into force: March 1, 1781.

Why These Dates Matter

  • 1777 marks the moment Congress agreed on a formal framework to unify the states in wartime.
  • 1781 marks the point when the Articles legally bound all 13 states, creating a confederation with a very weak central government and strong state powers.

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