What document outlines the framework of the U.S. government?

The U.S. Constitution is the foundational document that outlines the structure and framework of the government of the United States. It establishes the branches of government—legislative, executive, and judicial—and delineates their powers and responsibilities. Additionally, the Constitution includes the system of checks and balances, which is crucial for preventing any single branch from gaining too much power. It serves as the supreme law of the land and lays the groundwork for federal law and the rights of the citizens.

In contrast, the Declaration of Independence primarily served to announce the separation of the American colonies from British rule, outlining the principles of individual liberty and the rights of individuals rather than governing structures. The Bill of Rights, on the other hand, consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, which guarantee specific rights to individuals but do not define the overall framework of government. The Federalist Papers are a series of essays that were written to promote the ratification of the Constitution and explain its principles but are not the document itself that outlines the government's framework.