Which foundational document of American government begins with "We the People"?

The foundational document of American government that begins with "We the People" is the Constitution of the United States. This opening phrase sets the tone for the Constitution as a document created by and for the people of the United States, emphasizing the principle of popular sovereignty. It signifies that the authority of the government derives from the consent of the governed.

The Constitution was drafted in 1787 and serves as the supreme law of the land, laying out the framework for the governance of the United States, including the structure of government, the separation of powers, and the rights of citizens. The significance of "We the People" also reflects the democratic ideals upon which the nation was founded, highlighting the collective responsibility of citizens in shaping their government.

In contrast, The Articles of Confederation, which governed the United States before the Constitution, does not begin with this phrase and had a different structure that ultimately proved to be ineffective. The Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution and outlines specific protections for individual liberties but does not start with "We the People." The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays promoting the ratification of the Constitution, but they also do not feature this well-known opening line. Thus, the Constitution is distinctly identified by its