Which document outlines the framework of the United States government?

The Constitution is the foundational document that outlines the framework of the United States government. Ratified in 1788, it establishes the structure of the government, delineates the powers of each branch—executive, legislative, and judicial—and defines the relationship between the federal government and the states. Additionally, it provides a system of checks and balances designed to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

In contrast to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, which consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, primarily focuses on individual liberties and rights rather than the overall structure of government. The Declaration of Independence is a historic document that proclaimed the thirteen colonies' intention to separate from British rule but does not form the government itself. Lastly, the Articles of Confederation served as the first governing document of the newly independent states but was ultimately replaced by the Constitution due to its ineffectiveness in creating a strong central government. Thus, the Constitution stands as the core framework governing the United States.