What is the significance of the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation hold significant historical importance as they were the first governing document of the United States. Drafted in 1777 and ratified in 1781, they represented the first attempt to create a unified nation following independence from Britain. The Articles established a confederation—a union of sovereign states that retained most of their independence while delegating certain powers to a central authority. This document set the framework for governance during a formative period in American history and highlighted the challenges of maintaining unity among the states, ultimately leading to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 where further revisions and a stronger federal framework would be established.

Understanding its role as the first governing document is crucial, as it sheds light on the early American political landscape, including its limitations and the events that shaped the Constitution.