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The Articles of Confederation drafted by John Dickinson in 1776, during the 2nd Continental Congress, was ratified on March 1, 1781, by the thirteen states. It remained the unifying document of the states until June 21, 1788. The Articles provided the United States with a legislature (Congress) of which power was bestowed. However, it could not levy taxes nor could it enforce its laws. The Articles effectively established a system of expansion that allowed the country to slowly grow and …

…process. The Congress had no power to lay and collect taxes, nor did it possess the power to enforce its laws, making it virtually dependent on the states. On matters of amendment The Articles left little room for change, relying on an unanimous decision to alter it. Despite, success in expansion policies, The Articles of Confederation was a failure in creating a prosperous and efficacious country that could support and defend itself and its people.