The First Constitution

What is the name of the first constitution of the American States? I ask this question year to year to start of the introduction to the Articles of Confederation because this tricky question confuses many and makes the point that the Constitution was not the original written agreement between the American States. The time period of the Articles of Confederation-between the ending of the American Revolution to the ratification of the Constitution by the States-is, without doubt, the most overlooked and misunderstood time period of American history. A fellow history teacher briefly described his next few lessons through the period of the American Revolution to the Constitution as follows, "The Revolution ended, then the Articles were accepted and it sucked, then they changed to the Constitution." While this was just an off-hand statement made to describe a plan in a quick sentence by a knowledgeable history teacher, that is the basic impression people have about the Articles of Confederation if they know anything at all. What were the Articles of Confederation? Were they needed (especially to win the Revolution)? Why were they replaced?