Which document declared the American colonies' independence from Britain in 1776?

• A. The Declaration of Independence
• B. The Bill of Rights
• C. The US Constitution
• D. The Federalist Papers

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is identifying the document that publicly proclaims a break from colonial rule and explains why that break is made. The Declaration of Independence fits that role perfectly. Adopted by the Continental Congress in 1776, it announces that the American colonies are free and independent states, and it lays out the philosophical justification—people have natural rights and governments derive their power from the consent of the governed. It also lists grievances against King George III to explain why the colonies felt compelled to sever ties with Britain.

The other documents serve different purposes. The Bill of Rights, ratified later, protects individual liberties within the new system. The United States Constitution establishes the framework of government and its powers. The Federalist Papers were essays written to persuade states to ratify the Constitution. None of these declare independence itself, which is why the Declaration of Independence is the correct match for a document that declared independence in 1776.