America's first written constitution, which had many limitations that hindered the smooth functioning of the government

• A. Articles of Confederation
• B. U.S. Constitution
• C. Magna Carta
• D. Bill of Rights

Answer: (A)

The main idea is understanding why the first framework for governing the United States was so limited. The Articles of Confederation created a loose union of states and a very weak central government. It could not tax to raise revenue, regulate interstate or international trade, or enforce its laws. There was no national executive to lead the country and no national court system to settle disputes. Changes required the agreement of all thirteen states, and most major laws needed nine states’ approval, making it extremely hard to act decisively. Because of these weaknesses, the new nation struggled with diplomacy, defense, and economic policy, which led to the decision to replace the Articles with the U.S. Constitution in 1787. That new framework established a stronger central government with three branches, the power to tax and regulate commerce, and a more workable process for amending the system. The Magna Carta is an English medieval document and not America’s first framework, while the Bill of Rights refers to amendments added to the later Constitution.