Which document outlines the foundational structure of the U.S. government?

The Constitution of the United States is the foundational document that establishes the structure of the U.S. government. Ratified in 1788, it lays out the framework for the federal government, dividing powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. This separation of powers is designed to ensure a system of checks and balances, which is vital for preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful.

The Constitution not only defines the scope and limits of government authority but also includes the Bill of Rights, which guarantees individual liberties. It serves as the supreme law of the land, guiding how laws are created and interpreted in the country.

While the Declaration of Independence articulates the reasons for separating from British rule, it does not provide a structure for government. The Articles of Confederation, which preceded the Constitution, established a looser confederation of states and demonstrated the challenges of a weak central government, leading to the need for the Constitution. The Federalist Papers are a collection of writings that advocate for the ratification of the Constitution but do not outline the government structure themselves.