What was the first frame of government for the United States before the Constitution?

The Articles of Confederation were the first frame of government for the United States before the Constitution.

The Continental Congress finalized the Articles on November 15, 1777, during the American Revolution. They created a confederation in which the states retained most governmental powers while Congress handled areas such as war, diplomacy, and disputes between states.

The Articles took effect on March 1, 1781, after Maryland became the thirteenth state to ratify them. Their government had no separate executive branch and lacked several powers later given to the federal government, including broad authority to tax and regulate interstate commerce.

The Articles were replaced by the Constitution on March 4, 1789. The Constitution created a stronger federal structure with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches, while preserving the idea of a union among the states.