In modern constitutional history, which country is generally regarded as the first to adopt a single written national constitution for a large republic?

Introduction / Context:
Written constitutions are a hallmark of the modern nation state. They set out the basic structure of government, list powers and limits, and often include rights for citizens. Although there were earlier legal codes and charters, one country is widely regarded as the first large modern state to adopt a single written national constitution for a republic. This question tests whether you can identify that country from common examples in world history.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question is about a modern written national constitution, not about ancient law codes or local charters.
• The state is a large republic, not a tiny city state.
• The options are Russia, United States, France, and North Korea.
• The task is to select the country generally credited in textbooks as the first with such a constitution.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is the United States Constitution of 1787. It replaced the earlier Articles of Confederation and created a stronger federal government with separate legislative, executive, and judicial branches. While other countries later adopted written constitutions, the United States document is commonly recognized as the first modern written national constitution for a large republic that is still in force, with amendments. France produced important revolutionary constitutions after 1789, but these came later. Russia and North Korea adopted constitutions in the twentieth century, long after the United States and France.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the United States declared independence in 1776 and first used the Articles of Confederation.Step 2: Remember that in 1787 delegates met in Philadelphia and drafted the United States Constitution, which was ratified by the states and went into effect in 1789.Step 3: Recognize that this constitution is often described as the first modern written national constitution for a large republic.Step 4: France created written constitutions during and after the French Revolution, but these came after 1787.Step 5: Russia and North Korea adopted their constitutions much later in the twentieth century, so they cannot be first.

Verification / Alternative check:
Textbooks on world civics and political science often start their discussion of written constitutions with the United States example. They highlight how it influenced later documents, including French revolutionary constitutions and various constitutions in Latin America and elsewhere. When exam questions ask for the first country to have a single written national constitution, they almost always expect the answer United States. Other countries may have had earlier charters or partial documents, but those are not usually presented as full modern national constitutions in this context.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Russia did not have a modern written national constitution for a republic in the eighteenth century, and its later constitutions came long after that of the United States.
France did adopt important constitutions, especially during the Revolution, but these came after the United States Constitution of 1787.
North Korea adopted a constitution in the twentieth century and is not considered an early example of constitutional government.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students confuse the question with one about the first declaration of rights or about famous revolutionary movements and may incorrectly choose France. Others may overthink and guess that a later socialist or communist state innovated a new type of constitution. To avoid such mistakes, focus on the phrase first written national constitution for a large republic and recall that the United States Constitution is usually presented as the original model in modern constitutional history.

Final Answer:
The country generally regarded as the first to adopt a modern written national constitution is the United States.