The political push for the colonies to increase cooperation began in the french and indian wars in the mid 1750s. The American revolution in response to lack of elected representation in the british government and a rejection of the resulting law and regulation, followed by the beginning of the american revolutionary war in 1775 and a proclamation by the monarchy that congress were traitors in rebellion, induced the various states to cooperate in seceding from the british empire. Starting 1775, the second continental congress acted as the provisional national government that ran the war.
Congress presented the articles for enactment by the states in 1777, while prosecuting the american revolutionary war. Drafting and ratification requirements in september 1786, commissioners from five states met in the annapolis convention to discuss adjustments to the articles of confederation that would improve commerce. They invited state representatives to convene in philadelphia to discuss improvements to the federal government. After debate, the congress of the confederation endorsed the plan to revise the articles of confederation on february 21, 1787.