Which document declares the rights of the American people?

The Bill of Rights is a crucial document that specifically outlines and declares the rights of the American people. Ratified in 1791, it consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, which were added to ensure the protection of individual liberties and to address concerns raised by Anti-Federalists during the ratification process. The Bill of Rights includes fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, freedom of religion, and protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, among others.

Understanding the context of the other choices highlights the distinct purpose of the Bill of Rights. The Constitution itself establishes the framework of the government and outlines its powers but does not enumerate individual rights per se; this gap was addressed with the introduction of the Bill of Rights. The Articles of Confederation were an early attempt at governance that ultimately proved inadequate and did not include a bill of rights. The Federalist Papers were a series of essays advocating for the ratification of the Constitution and discussing its principles, but they do not serve as a declaration of individual rights.

Therefore, the Bill of Rights stands out as the definitive document focused on enumerating and protecting the rights of the American people.