Definition of confederacy

The word "confederacy" has its roots in the 16th-century Latin term "confederatio," which means "treaty or agreement between states or nations." This term was later adopted into Middle English as "confederacy," referring to a union or alliance of states or powers for a common purpose. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the term "confederacy" was often used to describe the loose alliances between European powers, such as the Holy Roman Empire or the European Confederacy. In the American context, the term gained significance with the formation of the Articles of Confederation in 1781, which outlined the relationship between the 13 original colonies. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the term "confederacy" continued to be used to describe various alliances and unions, including the American Confederacy during the US Civil War. Today, the term remains in use to describe any formal or informal agreement between states, nations, or other entities for a common goal or interest.