Which document was the first to create a framework for separation of powers in government?

The correct answer is the United States Constitution, as it explicitly establishes the framework for separation of powers among the three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. This separation is designed to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power and to ensure a system of checks and balances, where each branch has specific functions and can limit the powers of the others.

The other documents mentioned either do not establish a separation of powers or do so in a less formal way. The Magna Carta laid the groundwork for legal rights but did not outline a structured government framework or address the separation of powers specifically. The English Bill of Rights focused primarily on individual rights and government limitations rather than the organization of governmental branches. The Articles of Confederation created a loose confederation of states but lacked a strong central government and did not effectively establish separate branches with distinct powers, leading to significant weaknesses in governance.