What was the first governing document of the United States under the Continental Congress?

The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document of the United States under the Continental Congress.

The Continental Congress adopted the Articles on November 15, 1777, and the states completed ratification on March 1, 1781. The Articles created a confederation in which the states retained substantial power while Congress handled diplomacy, war, western lands, and other shared responsibilities.

The system had important weaknesses. Congress could not impose taxes directly, regulate interstate commerce effectively, or easily enforce its decisions. Each state had one vote, regardless of population, and major changes required unanimous approval. These limits made national finances and coordinated policy difficult.

The Constitution replaced the Articles in 1789 after delegates met in Philadelphia in 1787. The Articles therefore should not be called the Constitution, although both documents organized the federal government. The Articles also differed from the Declaration of Independence, which announced separation from Britain rather than establishing a governing framework.