Paragraph 1: In November 1777, delegates adopted a formal basis for union- the Articles of Confederation. This document was then sent to each of the states for approval, a process
that was finally completed on March 1, 1781. It strengthened the union of the American
states and served as the first constitution for the new nation. The Articles created a new union
of states, but it was a weak union. Even though they were at war, most Americans feared a
strong central government- even one of their own creation. Also, a number of Americans
felt a stronger allegiance to their state than to some new national union of states.