Which document served as the foundation for the U.S. Constitution?

The Articles of Confederation served as the foundation for the U.S. Constitution because they were the first governing document of the United States, outlining the structure and functions of the national government after independence from Great Britain. Ratified in 1781, the Articles established a confederation of sovereign states, with a weak central government that lacked the powers necessary to address pressing issues such as taxation and interstate commerce.

The shortcomings of the Articles highlighted the need for a stronger, more effective national framework, leading to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. This convention produced the U.S. Constitution, which addressed the weaknesses of the Articles by creating a system of checks and balances within a stronger federal government. The Constitution ultimately replaced the Articles, but the earlier document was crucial in shaping the discussions and intentions of the framers during the creation of the Constitution.

In contrast, the Magna Carta, signed in 1215, is a foundational document for British constitutional law, establishing the concept of limited government, but it did not directly influence the structure of American government. The Declaration of Independence, while essential in asserting the colonies' desire for independence and outlining principles of justice and individual rights, did not detail a government structure. The Federalist Papers were written to promote