Which document establishes the framework of the United States government?

The Constitution establishes the framework of the United States government. It outlines the organization of the government, delineating the powers and responsibilities of each branch—executive, legislative, and judicial. The Constitution serves as the supreme law of the land, providing the foundational legal structure for governance in the U.S. It includes the principles of federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances, which are essential for maintaining the rule of law and preventing any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

In contrast, the Declaration of Independence primarily focuses on declaring the colonies' separation from British rule and articulating the principles of individual rights and government accountability. The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document of the United States but were ultimately deemed ineffective due to the lack of a strong central authority and the inability to address various national issues. The Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, protecting individual liberties but does not itself establish the structure of government. Each of these documents plays a significant role in American history, but only the Constitution provides the comprehensive framework for how the government operates.