What established the formal basis for America's national government until 1789?

The Articles of Confederation established the formal basis for America's national government until 1789. This document was ratified in 1781 and served as the first constitution of the United States, creating a framework for government that aimed to unify the thirteen states following independence from Britain.

Under the Articles, the national government was characterized by a weak central authority, which limited its ability to impose taxes, regulate commerce, or enforce laws. This structure was implemented to preserve the sovereignty of the individual states and avoid the centralized power that had been experienced under British rule.

Ultimately, the limitations of the Articles led to significant challenges in governance, prompting the Constitutional Convention in 1787 to draft a new constitution, which culminated in the current United States Constitution ratified in 1789. The Articles of Confederation thus played a crucial role in the early governance of the United States and set the stage for the later development of the more robust federal system outlined in the Constitution.