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

The Articles of Confederation served as the first constitution of the United States, enacted in 1781. It established a framework for the national government, outlining the powers and responsibilities of Congress while giving considerable power to the states. This was crucial during a time when the new nation was trying to unify after gaining independence from Britain and needed a cohesive system to manage its affairs.

While the Constitution established a stronger federal government and replaced the Articles of Confederation in 1789, it was the Articles that initially guided governance after independence. The other documents listed, such as the Constitution, create a system of governance while the Federalist Papers were written to support the ratification of the Constitution. The Declaration of Independence, while pivotal in asserting the colonies' intention to separate from British rule, was not a governing document. The Articles of Confederation filled that role until the Constitution was adopted.