The Confederation Congress and the Transition to the First U.S. Congress
The Confederation Congress’ actions laid the foundation for the first U.S. Congress, which marked a new era in American governance.
Setting the Stage for the First Congress
After the Constitutional Convention concluded in 1787 and the Constitution was signed, it needed to be ratified by at least nine of the thirteen states to take effect. During this waiting period, the Co...
The Confederation Congress and the Transition to the First U.S. Congress
The Confederation Congress’ actions laid the foundation for the first U.S. Congress, which marked a new era in American governance.
Setting the Stage for the First Congress
After the Constitutional Convention concluded in 1787 and the Constitution was signed, it needed to be ratified by at least nine of the thirteen states to take effect. During this waiting period, the Confederation Congress, which had governed since the Articles of Confederation were ratified in 1781, oversaw this transition.
The Confederation Congress’s responsibilities included:
- Organizing State Ratification: It was the Confederation Congress’s duty to formally submit the Constitution to the states for ratification. Each state held a ratifying convention, where elected delegates debated and ultimately voted on the Constitution. Once nine states had ratified it, the Confederation Congress officially declared the Constitution effective.
- Establishing Elections for the New Government: The Confederation Congress was tasked with organizing the first national elections under the Constitution. This included setting dates and guidelines for electing members of the House of Representatives, Senators, and the President. Elections for Congress took place between December 1788 and January 1789, with the first Congress set to convene on March 4, 1789.
- Determining the Seat of Government: As part of the transition, the Confederation Congress selected New York City as the temporary capital for the new government, where the first Congress would convene.
Leadership in the Confederation Congress During the Transition
During the transition, key figures in the Confederation Congress helped guide the process, although the Congress lacked a formal executive. The role of "President of the United States in Congress Assembled" was a ceremonial leadership position rather than an executive role. This title was often assigned to influential members who presided over congressional sessions and oversaw key responsibilities during their terms, but they did not hold executive power as later presidents would.
- Arthur St. Clair (1787–1789): St. Clair, a notable politician and military leader from Pennsylvania, was the last to serve as President of the Confederation Congress before the Constitution took effect. Elected by Congress, he played a central role in coordinating the transition. His responsibilities involved setting legislative agendas, presiding over debates, and ensuring communication with state governments. St. Clair worked closely with other members of Congress to prepare for the new government’s inauguration.
Responsibilities of the Confederation Congress in Organizing the New Government
As the Confederation Congress prepared to dissolve, it had specific duties to fulfill for the new federal structure to be implemented smoothly. Some of these responsibilities included:
- Setting the Election Process for Congress: Each state was responsible for selecting representatives and senators under the new bicameral legislature. States had discretion over how to hold elections, but the Confederation Congress set the general dates and communicated the requirements to each state.
- Preparing for the First Presidential Election: The Articles of Confederation did not include a separate executive branch, but under the new Constitution, a President would be elected. The Confederation Congress ensured states followed the Constitution’s guidelines for selecting electors, who would then cast their votes for the President and Vice President. The Electoral College convened on February 4, 1789, and unanimously elected George Washington as the first President of the United States.
- Planning the Inauguration and First Session of Congress: The Confederation Congress established March 4, 1789, as the official date for the new Congress to convene in New York City. This required logistical planning to accommodate representatives, senators, and the President-elect. Washington was formally inaugurated on April 30, 1789.
The U.S. Government Before Ratification: Key Figures and Roles
Before the Constitution, the Confederation Congress was the central governing body, with delegates appointed by state legislatures. There were no executive or judicial branches at the federal level; instead, each state handled its own administration and legal systems, with the Confederation Congress acting as a unifying, though limited, authority.
- Delegates to the Confederation Congress: Each state appointed two to seven delegates, but only one vote per state was allowed, regardless of population or number of representatives. These delegates represented the interests of their states, and their terms and appointments were determined by the state legislatures, which could recall them at any time.
- Presidents of the Confederation Congress: Although not equivalent to a modern President, the President of Congress served as a presiding officer. This role rotated frequently, with each president serving for one-year terms. Presidents like John Hanson, Richard Henry Lee, and Cyrus Griffin led sessions, facilitated debate, and carried out symbolic duties, but they had no executive powers.
- Committees and Departments: To manage certain responsibilities, Congress established committees and created departments to handle foreign affairs, war, and finance. These included the Committee of Secret Correspondence (for foreign relations), the Department of War, and the Treasury Department, though they had minimal resources and authority. Figures like Robert Morris, who served as Superintendent of Finance, played vital roles in managing the nation’s financial situation during and after the war.
The Transition to the First Congress and the End of the Confederation Congress
When the Constitution took effect in 1789, the Confederation Congress dissolved, and the first U.S. Congress convened under a new federal structure. The Confederation Congress members returned to their states or assumed new roles under the Constitution, with some, like James Madison, transitioning to prominent positions in the new government.
In many ways, the Confederation Congress was a proving ground that exposed the shortcomings of a purely confederate system. Its members contributed to the foundational stages of American governance, providing a bridge from the Revolutionary War era to a more stable and resilient republic. The work done by the Confederation Congress underscored the importance of federal unity and underscored the ideals that would be enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, ensuring a more capable and enduring government for the United States.
