The Articles of Confederation were written during 1776–1777, with the final draft approved by the Second Continental Congress on November 15, 1777.

Core timeline

  • Drafting of the Articles began in mid-1776, shortly after the Declaration of Independence, as the colonies needed a formal framework to cooperate in the Revolutionary War.
  • Delegates in the Second Continental Congress debated and revised various drafts between July 1776 and late 1777.
  • The completed and final draft was agreed upon and adopted by Congress on November 15, 1777, which is the usual date given when people ask “when were the Articles of Confederation written.”

From writing to taking effect

Even though the Articles were written and adopted in 1777, they did not legally go into effect until all thirteen states ratified them.

Maryland was the last state to ratify, so the Articles formally came into force on March 1, 1781, and then served as the United States’ first constitution until replaced by the current Constitution in 1789.

Simple example to remember it

A useful way to picture it:

  • 1776–77 → writing and debating the Articles.
  • November 15, 1777 → Congress finishes and adopts the written document.
  • March 1, 1781 → all states finally agree; the Articles “go live” as the national frame of government.