Final answer:
The Articles of Confederation, which were the precursor to the U.S. Constitution, were adopted in 1781 after being written in 1777. The need for a stronger federal government led to their replacement by the Constitution in 1789.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Articles of Confederation were adopted in 1781. They were written in 1777 by the Second Continental Congress and served as the first constitution of the United States. However, due to lengthy debates over issues such as state sovereignty and western land claims, the Articles were not ratified until March 1, 1781.
This framework of government established a 'league of friendship' between the states and gave the Congress certain national powers, but it lacked the ability to impose taxes or control foreign policy effectively. Recognizing the weaknesses in the Articles, a Constitutional Convention was held in 1787 with the initial purpose of revising them, as indicated by the true statement in your exercise 9.3.1. However, it ultimately resulted in the creation of a new Constitution, which was adopted in 1789, superseding the Articles.