Final answer:
The year of Confederation was 1867, which united several British North American colonies into the Dominion of Canada. The U.S. Constitution was ratified by special ratifying conventions by each state post-1781, replacing the Articles of Confederation. 'Confederation' also refers separately to the Confederate States of America formed in 1861.
Step-by-step explanation:
Confederation and Its Timeline
The year of Confederation was 1867. This is a significant date in history as it marks the creation of the Dominion of Canada. Prior to this, the British North American colonies were separate entities. The Confederation united them under a single federal government, beginning with Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. This historical event laid the foundation for the Canada we know today.
As for the U.S., the ratification of the Constitution was not achieved at the Confederation Convention; rather, it was achieved via special ratifying conventions by each state. This occurred after the Articles of Confederation, which were adopted in 1781, proved to be ineffective for a growing nation. Thus, the Articles were replaced by the Constitution in 1787. The U.S. Constitution notably strengthened the central government's power.
The term 'Confederation' also appears in the context of the American Civil War, referring to the Confederate States of America, formed in 1861. However, this is a distinct and separate use of the term and is related to the secession of Southern states from the Union, leading to the American Civil War.