New York became the third state to ratify the Articles of Confederation.

The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States, adopted in 1777 and ratified in 1781, serving as the governing framework until it was replaced by the U.S. Constitution in 1789. It established a loose confederation of sovereign states, granting limited powers to a weak central government. While it successfully guided the nation through the Revolutionary War and established key policies like the Northwest Ordinance, it suffered from major weaknesses, including the lack of power to levy taxes, regulate interstate commerce, or enforce laws effectively. The inability to raise funds or maintain a standing army left the government powerless in times of crisis, as seen in Shays’ Rebellion (1786–1787). Additionally, the requirement for unanimous consent to amend the Articles made reforms nearly impossible. These shortcomings ultimately led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where the U.S. Constitution was drafted to create a stronger federal government while addressing the failures of the Articles.