Declaration of Independence
Explains why the colonies broke from Britain and argues that government gets its power from the people.
Read the Declaration on the National ArchivesFounding Documents
These are the rulebooks and arguments that shaped the U.S. system.
Constitution
Sets up the federal government, separation of powers, federalism, courts, elections, and the amendment process.
Read the Constitution on the National ArchivesBill of Rights
Lists the first ten amendments, focused on limits on government power and individual rights.
Read the Bill of Rights on the National ArchivesLater amendments
Abolish slavery, define citizenship and equal protection, broaden voting rights, and change government structure.
Read Amendments 11–27 on the National ArchivesWhy people still cite them
Modern debates often turn on who has power, what rights limit that power, and which level of government is allowed to act.
What to check first
When someone cites a founding document, ask which clause, amendment, statute, or court decision they mean. The exact source matters more than the slogan.