The first constitution of the United States was the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union. It was drafted by a committee appointed by the Second Continental Congress in mid-June 1777 and adopted by the full Congress on November 15, 1777. However, it was not ratified by all 13 states until March 1, 1781

. The Articles of Confederation established a weak central government with limited powers. It gave the Confederation Congress authority to make rules and request funds from the states but lacked enforcement powers, could not regulate commerce, or print money. Most decisions required approval from all 13 states, which made the government ineffective in many ways. The states retained most of their sovereignty and independence under the Articles

. Due to its weaknesses, the Articles were eventually replaced by the current United States Constitution, which was drafted in 1787 and ratified by the states by 1788