Which document governed the United States before the Constitution in America250’s founding history?

The Articles of Confederation governed the United States before the Constitution in America250’s founding history.

The Articles were the first written constitution of the United States. Congress adopted them in 1777, but they did not take effect until March 1, 1781, after all thirteen states had ratified them. The document created a confederation in which the states retained most governmental power.

The national government under the Articles could conduct diplomacy, manage western territories, and declare war, but it lacked important powers. Congress could not levy taxes directly, regulate interstate commerce, or easily enforce national decisions. Each state had one vote in Congress regardless of population.

These weaknesses contributed to calls for reform after the Revolutionary War. The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was initially proposed to revise the Articles, but the delegates instead created the Constitution. The Articles remained in effect until the Constitution replaced them in 1789.