What served as the United States' first plan of government?

The Articles of Confederation served as the United States' first plan of government, adopted in 1781. This document established a framework for a national government, outlining the powers and responsibilities of the federal government and the relationship between the states and the national authority. It was designed to facilitate cooperation among the states while acknowledging their sovereignty.

The Articles created a unicameral legislature with limited powers, meaning the federal government had no authority to tax or regulate commerce, which ultimately led to its weaknesses. The government under the Articles struggled to address various issues, including economic instability and interstate disputes, prompting the need for a stronger federal structure.

In contrast, the Constitution, which was drafted later in 1787, replaced the Articles of Confederation and established a more robust federal government with distinct branches and expanded powers. The Declaration of Independence, while a foundational document in asserting independence from Britain, is not a governing plan. The Bill of Rights is primarily a set of amendments that guarantees individual freedoms and limits the government's power, following the Constitution.