Articles of Confederation The Articles of the Confederation were stepping stones leading toward the downfall of the newly forming country. In a time of rapid growth, distrust was soiling our infant land. The Articles were just another hurdle that the people had to conquer before achieving the perfect government system. The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States of America. The Articles of Confederation were first drafted by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia Pennsylvania in 1777. This first draft was prepared by a man named John Dickinson