Which founding document established the first national government of the United States?

The Articles of Confederation established the first national government of the United States. Ratified in 1781, this document served as the first constitution for the newly independent states and aimed to create a cooperative agreement among them. The Articles provided a framework for governance and outlined the structure of the national government, which was primarily a confederation with limited powers.

While the Constitution later replaced the Articles, creating a stronger federal government, the Articles of Confederation were significant in that they were the initial attempt to unify the states under a common government and address challenges such as diplomacy and war. This document also highlighted several weaknesses of a loose confederation, which eventually led to the Constitutional Convention and the drafting of the current U.S. Constitution in 1787. Understanding the Articles of Confederation is crucial as it reflects the early challenges faced by the United States in terms of governance and the importance of collaboration among the states.