Definitions for "Articles of Confederation"
created as a charter for the United States and in effect 1781-1787; essentially a loose alliance of sovereign states. Replaced by the Constitution.
First constitution of the United States, 1781. Created a weak national government, replaced in 1789 by the Constitution of the United States.
a written agreement ratified in 1781 by the thirteen original states; it provided a legal symbol of their union by gave the central government no coercive power over the states or their citizens
Document that established a "firm league of friendship" between the 13 states during the Revolutionary War. Text of the Articles. Background and History of the Articles.