Which document established the independence of the United States from Britain?

The Declaration of Independence is the document that formally established the United States' independence from Britain. Adopted on July 4, 1776, it articulated the colonies' desire to break away from British rule and outlined the philosophical justifications for doing so, including the belief in individual rights and the idea that governments are established to protect those rights. The Declaration declared that the colonies were no longer subject to British authority, effectively marking the birth of the United States as a sovereign nation.

In contrast, the Constitution is the foundational legal document that outlines the structure of the U.S. government and was adopted later, in 1787. The Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution and guarantees individual liberties, but it does not address independence. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays written to promote the ratification of the Constitution and were produced after independence had already been declared. Thus, the primary role of the Declaration of Independence as the key document announcing the break from Britain is what makes it the correct answer.