What document governed the United States before the Constitution took effect?

The Articles of Confederation governed the United States before the Constitution took effect.

The Articles were approved by the Continental Congress in 1777 and came into force after all thirteen states ratified them in 1781. They created a confederation in which the states retained most political power, while the central government had limited authority.

Congress under the Articles could conduct diplomacy, declare war, manage western territories, and request money from the states. It could not directly tax citizens or regulate interstate commerce, and major decisions often required broad agreement among the states.

Financial problems, trade disputes, and difficulties raising troops led many political leaders to seek reform. The Constitutional Convention met in 1787 and produced a replacement framework rather than simply amending the Articles. The Constitution began operating in 1789.