What document outlines the framework of the U.S. government?

The Constitution is the foundational document that outlines the framework of the U.S. government. It establishes the structure, functions, and powers of the national government while also delineating the rights of the states and the people. The Constitution consists of a preamble, seven articles, and amendments that provide the basis for the legal and political system in the United States.

The Articles of Confederation, though an important historical document as the first governing framework, were ultimately deemed ineffective in providing a strong federal government, leading to the drafting of the Constitution. The Federalist Papers served as a collection of essays advocating for the ratification of the Constitution and explaining its principles, but they do not serve as the governing document itself. The Bill of Rights, consisting of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, specifically addresses individual rights and liberties but does not outline the framework of the entire government. The Constitution remains the key document that establishes how the U.S. government operates and the principles it embodies.