What document, adopted by the Second Continental Congress in 1777, outlined the form of government of the United States and provided for a weak central government?

The document adopted by the Second Continental Congress in 1777 that outlined the governance of the United States is the Articles of Confederation. This was the first constitution of the United States, establishing a framework for a national government that emphasized the sovereignty of the individual states. Under the Articles, the central government was deliberately kept weak, with limited powers primarily focused on foreign affairs and defense. This arrangement was a reaction to the colonists' experiences under British rule, where the centralized authority was seen as oppressive. The Articles reflected an intention to preserve states' rights and autonomy, but ultimately, the weaknesses of this system led to its replacement by the Constitution in 1789, which created a stronger federal government. The other documents listed, such as the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, serve different purposes and were created at different times in U.S. history.