Continental Association - The Continental Association, signed October 20, 1774, was the result of the deliberations held by the First Continental Congress. Among it’s several agreements was a formal boycott on British goods.
Declaration of Independence - Approved on July 4, 1776 (though signed on August 2), this is the birth certificate of the United States of America.
Articles of Confederation - Signed between July 9, 1778 and March 1, 1781, the Articles were the original government of the United States. A federal style government, the States were considered independent nations who were held together under a ‘firm league of friendship.
United States Constitution - Signed on September 17, 1787, the Constitution of the United States brought Americans under one centralized, national government. If the Declaration is the country’s birth certificate, the Constitution is it’s drivers license.