What document established the framework of the United States government?

The U.S. Constitution is the foundational document that established the framework of the United States government. It was drafted in 1787 and outlines the structure, powers, and functions of the three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The Constitution not only delineates the roles of these branches but also includes provisions for checks and balances, ensuring that no single branch becomes too powerful. Additionally, it incorporates the principle of federalism, dividing authority between the national and state governments.

In contrast, the Declaration of Independence served primarily to announce the colonies' separation from British rule and articulate the principles of individual rights and government by consent. The Federalist Papers, written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, were a series of articles promoting the ratification of the Constitution but did not themselves establish government structure. The Bill of Rights, consisting of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, protects individual freedoms and rights but is not the document that initially established the framework of the government.