The Period of Confederation and the Articles of Confederation
1781–1789
Independence Hall · National Park Service / CC BY 2.001 / 05The Articles of Confederation
The First Constitution
Articles of Confederation · National Archives- Adopted in 1777
- Came into effect in 1781
- Created a union of 13 independent states
- Most political power belonged to the states
- Americans feared a strong central government
- Congress was the main national institution
- No president and no national court system
- Congress could not directly collect taxes
- States often did not provide enough money
- Difficult to control trade
- Difficult to make important decisions
- Economic problems after the Revolutionary War
- High taxes and debts
- The national government had limited military power
Continental currency, 1778 · Public domain