What important document was ratified in 1788, establishing the framework for the U.S. government?

The Constitution was ratified in 1788 and serves as the foundational legal document for the United States government. It established the framework for the structure of the government, outlining the separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Additionally, the Constitution provides the system of checks and balances designed to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. This ratification marked a significant shift from the previous government structure under the Articles of Confederation, which had proven inadequate in addressing national issues.

While the Bill of Rights, ratified in 1791, added important amendments safeguarding individual liberties, it was the Constitution that originally established the government's operational framework. The Declaration of Independence, adopted in 1776, articulated the colonies' intention to separate from British rule but did not set up any government structure. Thus, the Constitution is the crucial document that laid the groundwork for the American political system as we know it today.