What created the first national government of the 13 former British colonies in North America? A. Constitution B. Declaration of Independence C. Shays's Rebellion D. Articles of Confederation

D ... The 13 states were officially established by the Articles of Confederation, ratified on March 1, 1781. The Articles created a loose confederation of sovereign states operating alongside a weak central government. Unlike the current power-sharing system of "federalism," the Articles of Confederation bestowed most governmental powers to the states.