What was the name of the agreement that governed the United States before the Constitution?

The Articles of Confederation governed the United States before the Constitution. They created a confederation of states and served as the first framework of national government for the new country.

The Continental Congress adopted the Articles in 1777, but all thirteen states did not ratify them until March 1, 1781. Their government gave the Confederation Congress important powers, including conducting foreign affairs and managing western territories, but it lacked a separate executive branch and broad taxing authority.

Financial problems, disputes among states, and difficulties responding to events such as Shays' Rebellion encouraged leaders to consider a stronger system. The Philadelphia Convention of 1787 ultimately produced the Constitution instead of merely revising the Articles.

The Articles are sometimes confused with the Declaration of Independence because both belong to the Revolutionary era. The declaration announced separation from Britain; the Articles established how the independent states would cooperate afterward.