What document outlines the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens?

The Bill of Rights is a crucial document that specifically outlines the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens. Ratified in 1791, it consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution and serves to protect individual liberties by limiting the powers of the federal government. These amendments include fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press, as well as protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, ensuring a legal framework that emphasizes the importance of civil liberties.

The other documents listed serve different purposes. The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document of the United States post-independence, primarily establishing a confederation of states but lacking the effective means to govern due to its weak central authority. The Constitution, while a foundational legal document that establishes the structure of government and the rule of law, includes provisions for the organization and functioning of the government more than detailing individual rights. The Declaration of Independence, though significant as a statement of freedom from British rule, does not delineate rights and responsibilities in the legal framework that governs the nation. Thus, the Bill of Rights most directly addresses the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens.