The foundational documents of the American political system include the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The Declaration of Independence, adopted in 1776, articulated the colonies' desire for freedom from British rule. The Constitution, ratified in 1788, established the framework for the federal government and delineated its powers. The Bill of Rights, comprising the first ten amendments to the Constitution, was added in 1791 to protect individual liberties and limit governmental power. Together, these documents form the cornerstone of American democracy, influencing legal precedents and civil rights for generations.