The Articles of Confederation

“The Name of the Confederacy shall henceforth be The United Colonies of North America.” 

Franklin gives this name to his ideal new national body to balance the individuality of each colony with the idea of a unified government. It also emphasizes that the new entity would be a confederacy, not necessarily a country. The use of this word illustrates how the United States was initially conceived as more of an alliance than a new nation. Franklin wished to present a united front to other countries to gain military support in the Revolutionary War.

“The said United Colonies hereby severally enter into a firm League of Friendship with each other, binding on themselves and their Posterity, for their common Defence against their Enemies, the Security of their Liberties and Properties, the Safety of their Persons and Families, and their mutual and general welfare.”

This excerpt illustrates the new relationships between colonies as part of a unified entity. Each one would be responsible for helping to ensure the defense, security, and safety of the other, making it so that any threat to one colony is a threat to all colonies. Fundamentally, it is a statement of alliance meant to show that the nascent United States will stand together against England in Revolutionary War and in fighting for independence. This “firm League of Friendship” adds military and political legitimacy to the new nation, which will be helpful in securing treaties with other countries in their fight against England.