What historical document established the first form of government for the United States?

The Articles of Confederation established the first form of government for the United States. Ratified in 1781, this document created a loose confederation of sovereign states and a central government that was largely limited in its powers.

The Articles reflected the revolutionary ideals of the time, prioritizing state sovereignty and ensuring that the new government could not infringe on the rights of the individual states. They outlined a framework for the legislative branch but provided very little authority to the federal government, which ultimately led to various challenges, such as difficulty in taxation and regulation of commerce.

Although the Constitution later replaced the Articles to create a stronger federal government, the Articles are significant as the initial attempt at governance that helped shape the nation's political development. The other documents mentioned, while pivotal to American history—such as the Constitution outlining the current government structure, the Declaration of Independence asserting autonomy, and the Bill of Rights guaranteeing individual freedoms—did not serve as the founding legal framework for governance in the way the Articles did.