What document begins with the phrase "We the People"?

The document that begins with the phrase "We the People" is the U.S. Constitution. This phrase encapsulates the essence of the Constitution, emphasizing that the authority of the government is derived from the people it governs. It signifies the foundation of American democracy, where the government is created and sustained by the will of the citizens.

The U.S. Constitution was created in 1787 as a response to the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which did not establish a strong central government. Unlike the Constitution, the Articles of Confederation lacked a preamble that similar to “We the People,” which highlights the focus on collective governance. Similarly, the Declaration of Independence, although an important foundational document declaring separation from Britain, begins with a different phrase and focuses on the rights of individuals rather than the structure of government. The Bill of Rights, which enumerates individual rights and freedoms, is an amendment to the Constitution and follows after its ratification, also not opening with the phrase mentioned. Thus, the phrase "We the People" distinctly identifies the U.S. Constitution as the foundational legal document of the United States.