What document was written by John Dickinson to protect the rights of individual states?

The Articles of Confederation was the document written by John Dickinson that aimed to protect the rights of individual states. Adopted in 1781, it served as the first constitution for the newly independent United States, establishing a framework for a loose confederation of sovereign states rather than a strong central government. Dickinson's focus was on ensuring that the states retained significant independence and authority, which reflected the concerns of many leaders at the time who feared a powerful centralized government after their experience under British rule.

The Articles emphasized the importance of state sovereignty and provided for a weak national government that lacked the power to tax or regulate commerce effectively, further showcasing the aim to protect the rights and autonomy of each state. The other documents listed—such as the Constitution of the United States, the Federalist Papers, and the Declaration of Independence—served different purposes, such as establishing a stronger federal government, advocating for constitutional ratification, and proclaiming independence from British rule, respectively.