Which document laid the groundwork for democratic principles in the United States?

The Constitution of the United States is the foundational document that established a framework for the government and enshrined democratic principles in the country. It sets forth the structure and function of government, delineates the powers of different branches, and establishes a system of checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power. The Constitution embodies the ideals of representative democracy, where government is accountable to the people through elected representatives.

It also includes the Bill of Rights, which outlines fundamental individual rights and freedoms that the government must respect, reinforcing the concept of personal liberty that is essential to democratic governance. This document was critical in promoting the rule of law and ensuring that government authority is derived from the consent of the governed, key tenets of democratic thought.

While the Articles of Confederation served as the initial governing document, they proved inadequate in creating a strong federal government. The Federalist Papers were influential in promoting the ratification of the Constitution and articulating its benefits, but they are not foundational documents themselves. The Magna Carta, though significant as an early assertion of legal limits on power, predates the establishment of the U.S. and was more about limiting the powers of the monarchy in England than directly instigating democratic principles in the American context.