Which document was replaced by the U.S. Constitution?

The U.S. Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation, which was the first governing document of the United States. Created in 1781, the Articles established a loose confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government. This framework soon proved inadequate for managing the collective needs of the states, as it lacked a mechanism for enforcing laws, collecting taxes, and resolving disputes among states effectively.

The weaknesses highlighted in the Articles, such as the inability to fund a military or regulate commerce, led to calls for a stronger federal government. As a result, the Constitutional Convention convened in 1787, ultimately drafting the U.S. Constitution. This new document established a more robust federal framework that included an executive branch, a bicameral legislature, and a system of checks and balances designed to prevent the concentration of power. Thus, the Constitution effectively addressed the deficiencies of the Articles of Confederation, replacing it to create a functional national government that could operate effectively and respond to the needs of its citizens.