Which document preceded the U.S. Constitution?

The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document of the United States, established in 1781, and served as the nation's constitution until it was replaced by the current U.S. Constitution in 1789. The Articles created a loose confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government, which ultimately proved ineffective in handling issues such as trade, taxation, and national defense. This experience highlighted the need for a more robust federal government, leading to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 where the current Constitution was drafted.

The Federalist Papers, while critical in explaining and advocating for the new Constitution, were written after the Articles of Confederation and served the purpose of promoting ratification of the new constitution rather than governing the nation. The Declaration of Independence, created in 1776, established the colonies' intent to separate from British rule and laid the groundwork for the principles of freedom and government but was not a governing document. The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, was a significant historical document that influenced the development of constitutional law but is not directly related to the foundation of the U.S. governmental system.

Thus, the Articles of Confederation preceded the U.S. Constitution and directly contributed to the creation of the Constitution itself.