Which document established the framework of the U.S. government?

The Constitution is the foundational legal document that established the framework of the U.S. government. Ratified in 1788, it outlines the structure of the government, delineating the powers and responsibilities of the three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. It also sets forth the process for creating laws, the rights of the states, and the rights of citizens. The Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation, which had proven ineffective in creating a strong federal government, leading to issues that spurred the need for a more robust governing document.

While the Declaration of Independence is a crucial historical document declaring the colonies' independence from British rule, it does not provide a framework for governance. Similarly, the Bill of Rights, which consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, outlines specific individual rights and limits on government power but does not establish the overarching structure of government itself. The Articles of Confederation, although an earlier attempt at a governing framework, ultimately illustrated the weaknesses of a loose confederation of states and led to the drafting of the Constitution due to its inadequacies.