Which document was primarily influenced by the principle of popular sovereignty?

The U.S. Constitution is primarily influenced by the principle of popular sovereignty, which asserts that the authority of a government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, typically manifested through their elected representatives. This concept is conceived in the opening phrase of the Constitution, "We the People," which establishes that the power of the government derives from the population it governs.

This foundational document lays out the structure of government, detailing how representatives are elected and how they are accountable to the citizens, thereby ensuring that the will of the people is reflected in governmental decisions. The framers of the Constitution sought to create a system that embodies this principle, allowing for changes and amendments to be made as the will of the populace evolves.

In contrast, while the Declaration of Independence articulates the values of self-governance and natural rights, its context is more focused on justifying the break from British rule rather than establishing a formal government structure based on popular consent. The Bill of Rights, while essential in protecting individual liberties, serves as an addendum to the Constitution and does not explicitly address the mechanism of popular sovereignty. The Emancipation Proclamation, mainly a wartime measure, dealt specifically with the issue of slavery and did not address the foundational concept of