Which document formally established the structure of the U.S. government after the Articles of Confederation?

The U.S. Constitution is the document that formally established the structure of the U.S. government following the weaknesses exhibited under the Articles of Confederation. The Articles created a loose confederation of states with a central government that lacked the power to impose taxes, regulate trade, or enforce laws, leading to significant challenges in governance.

In contrast, the Constitution provided a stronger framework for national governance, with a clear separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. It also included mechanisms for checks and balances to ensure that no one branch could dominate the others. By addressing the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution laid down the foundational principles of federalism, democracy, and republicanism that govern the United States today.

The other choices, while significant in their own right, do not establish the structure of the government. The Bill of Rights focuses on individual rights and freedoms, the Federalist Papers were written to promote the ratification of the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence articulated the colonies' reasons for seeking independence from British rule without laying out a governing framework. Thus, the U.S. Constitution stands as the pivotal legal document that structured the government in response to the failures of its predecessor.