For America250, what governing document preceded the U.S. Constitution?

The Articles of Confederation preceded the U.S. Constitution as the governing document of the United States, making them part of the constitutional history highlighted by America250. The Articles were adopted by the Continental Congress in 1777 and took effect after final ratification in 1781.

They created a league of states with a deliberately weak central government. Congress could conduct diplomacy, declare war, and manage certain national affairs, but it could not directly tax citizens or regulate interstate commerce.

Financial problems, trade disputes, and difficulties responding to unrest exposed weaknesses in the system. Delegates met in Philadelphia in 1787 and drafted the Constitution, which replaced the Articles after ratification.

The Articles are often confused with the Declaration of Independence because both came from the Revolutionary era. The Declaration announced separation from Britain; the Articles established the first nationwide governmental framework for the United States.