Which document served as the foundation for American government?

The Constitution serves as the foundation for American government because it establishes the framework for the federal government, delineating its powers and responsibilities. Ratified in 1788, the Constitution created a system of checks and balances among the three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial. It serves as the supreme law of the land, providing a structure for governance, regulating relationships between the federal government and the states, and protecting individual rights through amendments.

While the Articles of Confederation was the first governing document of the United States, it proved to be ineffective due to its weak central authority, ultimately leading to the creation of the Constitution. The Declaration of Independence, while crucial for establishing the colonies' separation from British rule and articulating principles of liberty and self-governance, does not provide a governance structure. The Bill of Rights is critical for protecting individual liberties but is an addendum to the Constitution rather than a foundational document. Therefore, the Constitution is the cornerstone upon which American government is built.