Which document declared America's independence from Britain?

The document that declared America's independence from Britain is the Declaration of Independence. This pivotal manuscript, adopted on July 4, 1776, announced that the thirteen American colonies considered themselves free and independent states, no longer under British rule. Authored primarily by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration articulates the philosophical principles underlying the colonies' decision to separate, including themes of natural rights and the concept of government deriving its power from the consent of the governed. It listed grievances against King George III, justifying the break as a response to British abuses of authority.

The other documents mentioned serve different purposes. The Constitution establishes the framework for the United States government and outlines the powers of its different branches, while the Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution that protect individual liberties. The Federalist Papers are a series of essays written to support the ratification of the Constitution, providing insight into the framers' intentions and the mechanics of the new government. Each of these is vital to American history but pertains to governance and rights rather than the formal declaration of independence.