Which document outlines the foundational principles of American government?

The Constitution serves as the foundational document that outlines the principles of American government. It establishes the structure of the federal government, delineates the powers of its branches, and protects individual rights. Ratified in 1788, it was created to provide a stronger national framework than the previous Articles of Confederation, which had proven ineffective in uniting the states and managing national affairs.

The Constitution encapsulates key principles such as separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, and the rule of law, making it central to the functioning of the American political system. It also includes the preamble, which asserts the purpose of government as being to secure the blessings of liberty and promote the general welfare.

While the other documents mentioned have significant roles in American history, they do not serve as the foundational principles of government. The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document but were replaced by the Constitution due to their weaknesses. The Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution, protects specific individual freedoms but is not the primary framework for government structure. The Federalist Papers were written to promote the ratification of the Constitution and explain its principles but are secondary sources rather than the foundational document itself.