Which agreement did the Continental Congress adopt in 1781 as the first U.S. constitution?

The Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation as the first U.S. constitution in 1781.

The Articles created a confederation called the United States of America and provided a framework for cooperation among the states during the Revolutionary War and its aftermath. Congress approved the final text for ratification in 1777, but it did not take effect until Maryland became the last state to ratify it on March 1, 1781.

Under the Articles, the national government had no separate executive branch and could not impose taxes directly on individuals. States retained most sovereignty, while Congress handled diplomacy, war, and certain national matters.

The system was replaced by the Constitution after leaders concluded that the Confederation Congress lacked sufficient power to address financial and security problems. The Articles therefore form an important bridge between independence in 1776 and the constitutional government inaugurated in 1789.