Which of the following documents established the framework for the U.S. government?

The Constitution is the document that established the framework for the U.S. government. Drafted in 1787 and ratified in 1788, it outlines the structure of the federal government, delineates the powers and responsibilities of each branch, and embodies the principles of democracy and rule of law. The Constitution serves as the supreme law of the land, establishing a system of checks and balances among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.

The Declaration of Independence, while a critical document in asserting the colonies' separation from British rule, did not provide a framework for governance. Instead, it articulated the principles of individual rights and self-governance. The Articles of Confederation were an early attempt to create a governing structure post-independence, but they ultimately proved inadequate due to their weak central authority and lack of an effective mechanism for raising revenue or enforcing laws. The Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution, was created to protect individual liberties and rights but does not establish a governance framework itself.

Thus, the Constitution stands out as the foundational legal document that organizes and empowers the U.S. government.