Which document serves as the foundation of U.S. law?

The Constitution serves as the foundation of U.S. law because it establishes the framework for the federal government, detailing the distribution of powers among the different branches of government and outlining the rights of citizens. As the supreme law of the land, the Constitution sets forth core principles such as the rule of law, the separation of powers, and checks and balances. It also provides the mechanisms for amending the document, allowing it to evolve with the needs of society.

While the Bill of Rights is crucial, as it comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution and specifies individual liberties, it is ultimately derived from and built upon the framework established by the Constitution itself. The Magna Carta, while historically significant and influential in shaping democratic principles, is not a U.S. document and does not serve as a foundation of U.S. law. The Emancipation Proclamation was essential in the context of ending slavery, but it also does not serve as the foundational legal document of the nation.