What was the name of the first government of the United States?

The first government of the United States was established under the Articles of Confederation, which were adopted in 1781. This framework served as a loose union of the thirteen states, allowing them to cooperate for common purposes while retaining their individual sovereignty. The Articles of Confederation created a unicameral legislature but lacked a strong central authority, which led to challenges in governance, such as difficulties in raising revenue and enforcing laws.

The Constitution, which was ratified in 1788 and came into effect in 1789, replaced the Articles of Confederation and established a stronger federal government with a more defined structure of branches. The Bill of Rights, comprising the first ten amendments to the Constitution, was added later to safeguard individual liberties. The term "Federal Government" refers to the government that evolved after the Constitution was implemented and does not represent the earlier form established by the Articles of Confederation. Thus, the Articles of Confederation accurately denote the first formal government framework in the United States.