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

The Articles of Confederation served as the first constitution of the United States, providing the initial framework for the national government after independence from British rule. Adopted by the Continental Congress in 1781, it established a confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government, which had limited authority and could not impose taxes or regulate commerce effectively.

While documents like The Federalist Papers, The Constitution of the United States, and The Declaration of Independence are critical to understanding American political history and governance, they do not function as the first constitution. The Federalist Papers were essays written to support the ratification of the Constitution, which ultimately replaced the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution itself is the second fundamental governing document, created in 1787 to address the shortcomings of the Articles. The Declaration of Independence proclaimed the colonies' separation from Great Britain and laid the ideological foundation for American democracy but did not establish a government structure. Thus, the Articles of Confederation uniquely holds the title of being the initial constitution of the United States, guiding the nation during its formative years.