Door24 History

In July 1776, the representatives of the Continental Congress voted for independence from Great Britain. To win a war against the most powerful country on earth was going to take more than a simple vote. Congress immediately went to work to create a national government to oversee the war. After several drafts and debates, in 1777 Congress approved John Dickinson’s Articles of Confederation. At this time, states thought of themselves as independent countries and many feared being tied to an all-powerful national government. Hence, it was not until 1781 that the last state ratified the Articles making it the official first government of the United States of America. The government consisted of a one-house congress where every state had one vote on all matters. Yet, the new government had too many weaknesses to be effective. There was no Supreme Court to settle disputes or a president to enforce the laws. Congress lacked the power to tax or force the states to pay for national expenses. States often ignored