Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation were a set of thirteen points which were established by the Second Continental Congress. Th Articles began the ratification process in 1777 and became completely ratified in 1781. The Articles were replaced by the United States Constitution in 1789 due to the large number of issues it created for the people, as well as, the government.

Creation
After the victory of American Revolution, the newly independent colonies in America quickly decided that a new permanent form of government would be necessary. The Second Continental Congress conveined in May 1775 and began drafting the Articles mid-1776. From June 1776 until March 1781 the Articles underwent drafting and ratification with Maryland being the late state to ratify.

Replacement
Concern with the effectiveness of the Articles had been building ever since its inception. The lack of certain aspects, such as no nation wide currency, causing disagreements in the value of each state's currency in other states, economic depression after the American Revolution, and strict policies implemented by government to pay off state's debts.

A disgruntled citizen named Daniel Shays, a veteran of the Revolutionary War, took action along with a large group of other veterans and forced the close of courts in central and western Massachusetts in order to halt debt collection. While initially peaceful, it quickly turned radical and was crushed by a military force formed by James Bodwin, the governor of Massachusetts at the time.

Following the dispersion of the rebellion (and a subsequent outbreak of similar rebellions) many citizens became increasingly displeased with the way the Articles worked and, as a result, the Congress of the Confederacy convened and began the drafting of the Constitution.