Which document served as an earlier attempt to govern the United States before the Constitution?

The Articles of Confederation served as the first governing document for the newly independent United States before the Constitution was adopted. Ratified in 1781, the Articles established a confederation of the states, focusing on the sovereignty of each state and limiting the power of the central government. This structure reflected the desire of the states to maintain their independence and authority, particularly after their experience with British rule.

However, the Articles proved to be ineffective in creating a strong federal government capable of addressing various national issues, such as economic instability, interstate commerce, and defense. These weaknesses ultimately led to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where the Constitution was drafted to create a more robust federal structure while still balancing state and national interests.

The other documents mentioned have distinct roles and historical significance but do not serve as governing frameworks for the United States prior to the Constitution. The Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, focusing on individual liberties and protections. The Magna Carta was a 1215 English document that established some principles of due process and limited government but had no direct governing authority over the United States. The Emancipation Proclamation, issued in 1863 during the Civil War, declared the freedom of enslaved people in Confederate states