Final answer:
The Declaration of Independence was adopted first in 1776, followed by the Articles of Confederation, which were drafted in 1777 and ratified in 1781. The United States Constitution was then written in 1787, and the Federalist Papers were composed between 1787 and 1788 to support its ratification.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Declaration of Independence was the first among these documents to be created. It was adopted on July 4, 1776, and marked the thirteen American colonies' decision to declare themselves independent from Great Britain. Next came the Articles of Confederation, which were drafted in 1777 and ratified by the colonies in 1781; this document served as the nation's first constitution.
The United States Constitution followed, constructed in 1787 during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. This significant document was meant to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and provide a stronger central government. The Federalist Papers appeared last; they were written between 1787 and 1788 to promote the ratification of the new Constitution.
In summary, the sequence of these foundational American documents is:
- Declaration of Independence (1776)
- Articles of Confederation (drafted in 1777, ratified in 1781)
- United States Constitution (1787)
- Federalist Papers (written between 1787-1788)