articles of confederation (before constitution)

Article I

name of the union: The United States of America

Article II

State Sovereignty

Article III

Mutual Defense (states agreed to help each other against attacks/threats)

Article IV

Freedom of Movement & legal equality (citizens can move to any state; states must respect other state’s laws.)

Article V

Representation in Congress - state could send 2-7 delegates but had one vote total

Article VI

No foreign relations or armies by states (states couldn’t make their own treaty/ maintain standing armies

Article VII

State military officers

Article VIII

War Expenses The cost of war would be paid by a fund collected from the states, based on the value of their land and property.

Article IX

Powers of Congress Congress could declare war, make treaties, manage foreign affairs, coin money, and settle disputes between states—but many actions required approval by 9 of 13 states.

Article X

Committee of States When Congress wasn’t in session, a committee of states could act on certain issues.

Article XI

Invitation to Canada Canada was invited to join the U.S. if it wanted to. (They passed.)

Article XII

War Debt The new government would honor debts incurred during the Revolutionary War.

Article XIII

Amendment Rules Any changes to the Articles required the unanimous agreement of all 13 states.