the of a ___ was the document that describe the government before The Constitution was created

can someone me with this question:  

1) the end of the conflict between the north and the south didn’t just mark the end of a war; it marked the end of an entire way of life.” which statement best describes what this statement means?  

a) the southerners were no longer free and were controlled by the northern states.

b) the industrial economy in the north was not sustainable.

c) slavery became illegal, which changed completely the south’s labor force and the agricultural economy was destroyed.

d) the states decided to relinquish their independence and return to britain’s rule.    

i'm not certain but i'm pretty sure it was spanish and portuguese america.