Houghton Library

Declaring independence was just the first step towards forming the United States. After more than a year of debate, the Second Continental Congress, meeting west of Philadelphia due to the British occupation, adopted the Articles of Confederation as the first form of government for the fledgling U.S. To win the support of wary smaller states, the powers of the central government were minimized, and each state received an equal vote in Congress.

On view in the Houghton Library Lobby Gallery through August 27, 2026.



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Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union. Lancaster, PA: Francis Bailey, 1777. AC7 Un33C 777a. Friends of the Library Fund, 1941.