Which document asserted that people have the right to alter or abolish their government?

The Declaration of Independence is the document that explicitly states that people have the right to alter or abolish their government. This assertion is rooted in Enlightenment principles, particularly those articulated by philosophers like John Locke, who believed that governments exist to protect the rights of the governed and derive their power from the consent of the people. If a government fails to do so, the citizenry has not only the right but also the duty to change or dismantle that government. This idea is a fundamental element of the Declaration, which was adopted in 1776 and served as a formal break from British rule.

In contrast, the other documents mentioned either establish the framework of government or outline specific rights of individuals without including the concept of overthrowing a government. The Constitution set up the structure of the American government, the Bill of Rights enumerated individual liberties, and the Articles of Confederation dealt with the early governance of the United States but did not address the right to change government as the Declaration did. Hence, the Declaration of Independence stands out as the key document regarding the assertion of this right.