What document outlines the fundamental principles of the U.S. government?

The Constitution outlines the fundamental principles of the U.S. government and serves as the supreme law of the land. Drafted in 1787 and ratified in 1788, it establishes the structure of the federal government, delineates powers among its branches (executive, legislative, and judicial), and sets forth the rights of citizens. The Constitution embodies core principles such as the separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism, which are crucial for ensuring that no single entity holds too much power and that government operates within the bounds of the law.

Other documents, like the Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution, secure specific individual rights but do not provide the overarching framework of government. The Articles of Confederation, the predecessor to the Constitution, created a weaker national government that proved ineffective, demonstrating the need for the robust system established by the Constitution. The Federalist Papers are a series of essays that advocate for the ratification of the Constitution and explain its principles, but they are not a governing document themselves. Thus, the Constitution is the definitive source outlining the fundamental principles of U.S. government.