Which document served as the first constitution of the United States?

The Articles of Confederation served as the first constitution of the United States. Adopted in 1781, this document was designed to establish a framework for the national government and was intended to preserve the sovereignty of the states while creating a weak central government. The Articles outlined the powers and responsibilities of the national government but ultimately proved to be ineffective due to limitations such as the inability to levy taxes or regulate commerce effectively. This led to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where the current Constitution was drafted to rectify the shortcomings of the Articles.

The Constitution, established later, replaced the Articles of Confederation, creating a stronger federal government. The Federalist Papers are a series of essays written to promote the ratification of the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, ensuring the protection of individual liberties. Each of these documents played a significant role in American governance but served different purposes and functions in the nation’s history.