what was the united states' first constitution?

The United States’ first constitution was the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union.

Under the Articles of Confederation, the 13 states formed a loose “league of friendship” with a very weak central government that could make rules and request funds, but had no real power to enforce its decisions, regulate commerce, or tax directly.

Congress adopted the Articles in November 1777, and they officially went into effect on March 1, 1781, after all 13 states ratified them.

Because this system proved unworkable, delegates later met in Philadelphia and drafted a new framework—the U.S. Constitution—which replaced the Articles when it was ratified in 1788.