the Articles of Confederation
/ði ˌɑːtɪklz əv kənˌfedəˈreɪʃn/
/ði ˌɑːrtɪklz əv kənˌfedəˈreɪʃn/
- the first written American laws of government. The thirteen colonies agreed to the articles in 1781 and used them until the US Constitution replaced them in 1789.