The document that served as the constitution for the United States before the current Constitution was the Articles of Confederation. Drafted in 1777 and ratified in 1781, the Articles established a loose confederation of sovereign states and a weak national government. While it played a crucial role in guiding the fledgling nation during the Revolutionary War, the Articles proved ineffective in addressing issues like commerce, taxation, and interstate relations. This ineffectiveness led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where delegates created the U.S. Constitution, establishing a stronger federal framework and better governance.