What document declares the fundamental rights of all citizens?

The Bill of Rights is the document that specifically declares the fundamental rights of all citizens in the United States. Ratified in 1791, it consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, which were created to ensure personal freedoms and protect citizens from governmental overreach. The amendments guarantee a variety of rights, including freedom of speech, religion, and the press, the right to assemble, and the right to bear arms, among others.

While the Constitution itself outlines the framework of the government and its powers, it is the Bill of Rights that explicitly enumerates the rights and liberties individuals hold. The Declaration of Independence, on the other hand, articulates the principles of freedom and equality, but it does not enumerate specific rights or serve as a governing document. The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document but were ultimately replaced because they did not adequately address the needs for rights protection and a functioning federal government. Thus, the Bill of Rights is the key document that explicitly asserts the fundamental rights of all citizens.