Which document formally ended British rule over the American colonies?

The Declaration of Independence is the document that formally ended British rule over the American colonies. Adopted on July 4, 1776, it served as a proclamation announcing the colonies’ separation from British authority and their transition into independent states. This document articulated the philosophical underpinnings of the new nation, such as the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and highlighted the colonists' grievances against King George III, justifying their decision to break away.

While other documents mentioned also played significant roles in America's governance and development, they did not serve the purpose of formally declaring independence from British rule. The Articles of Confederation established the first governing framework for the United States after independence, the U.S. Constitution created the current structure of the federal government, and the Bill of Rights guaranteed individual liberties but came into play after independence was already achieved. Thus, the Declaration of Independence is pivotal in U.S. history as the foundational text that marked the colonies' assertion of autonomy from Britain.