EthosThe Articles of Confederation was a legal document designed to prevent government tyranny. No fat-cat monarchs allowed, basically. As such, the laws contain an appeal to Enlightenment ethical...

Thirteen ArticlesIt's pretty simple. The Articles of Confederation consists of thirteen short sections (which—surprise—are labeled "Articles I-XIII"), plus a preamble (or introduction) and conc...

1700s LegaleseThis text isn't exactly a romantic poem, Shmoopers. Organization is the key word to keep in mind when reading legal documents from early American history (that includes the Constituti...

So why is it the Articles of Confederation? Why not the Articles of Union or the Articles of Bromance? As we noted in our handy-dandy Glossary section, the word "confederation" implies an alliance...

Not a whole lot in this case. Unlike the Constitution, which starts off with a poetic Preamble, the Articles of Confederation simply begin with a salutation, or greeting, from the delegates of the...

The Conclusion to the text states that the "Great Governor of the World"—i.e., God—has inspired the delegates of Congress to ratify, or agree to, the completed Articles of Confederation. (Remem...

Snow Line (7-8)There's some pretty tongue-twisting language in the Articles of Confederation, not to mention a bunch of lengthy legal clauses full of semicolons that seem to simply go on; and on; a...

In-Text ReferencesStates (throughout)Monarchies (6.1, 6.3) "Great Governor of the World," a.k.a. God (Conclusion.1)Native American Tribes (6.5, 9.5)References To This TextHistorical and Political R...

The Articles of Confederation were drafted in York, Pennsylvania (current pop. about 45,000). Sometimes Yorkers use this fact to claim their town was the nation's first capital. (Source)During the...