Which document served as a precursor to the Constitution and outlined the grievances of the colonies?

The Declaration of Independence serves as a precursor to the Constitution because it articulated the colonies' grievances against British rule and established the philosophical foundation for their desire for independence. Crafted in 1776, the document outlined specific injustices and asserted the colonies' right to self-governance based on fundamental principles such as equality and the pursuit of happiness.

This declaration not only expressed the colonies' intentions to separate from British rule but also laid the groundwork for the subsequent formation of a governing document, the Constitution, by highlighting the need for a system that would reflect the will of the people and protect their rights. The other documents listed, while important in the context of early American governance and rights, did not specifically outline the complaints against a governing power in the same manner as the Declaration of Independence did. The Federalist Papers were later essays advocating for the ratification of the Constitution, the Articles of Confederation were an early attempt at a governing framework, and the Bill of Rights later ensured specific individual liberties but came after the Declaration.