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

The Constitution is the foundational document that establishes the framework of the U.S. government. It outlines the structure, functions, and limitations of government, including the branches of government—legislative, executive, and judicial—as well as the checks and balances designed to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power. Additionally, it provides the process for ratification and amendment, ensuring that the document can evolve alongside the nation while maintaining the rule of law.

While the Declaration of Independence sets forth the principles of individual rights and justifies the separation from British rule, it does not create a government structure. The Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, which guarantee individual liberties and rights but do not establish the governmental framework itself. The Federalist Papers are a collection of writings advocating for the ratification of the Constitution; they explain the ideas behind the Constitution but do not constitute the framework of government on their own. Thus, the Constitution is the correct answer as it is the primary document that lays out the governing blueprint for the United States.