Simone Lawson
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are the three most important documents in American history. They are the foundational texts of the United States, embodying the country's core values and political system. Despite their interconnectedness, there are important differences between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. This paragraph will introduce the topic by discussing these differences and exploring whether the two documents are consistent with each other.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of creation | The Declaration of Independence was created in 1776, while the Constitution was written in 1787 |
| Purpose | The Declaration of Independence states that the U.S. is a country independent of England and lists grievances against the English king. The Constitution formed the federal government and set the laws of the land. |
| Amendments | The Declaration of Independence has none, while the Constitution originally had 12 |
| Signatures | The Declaration of Independence has 56 signatures, while the Constitution has 39 |
| Authors | Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, while James Madison is considered the "Father of the Constitution" |
| Relationship | The Declaration of Independence made promises about fundamental liberties, which became legally enforceable when they were enumerated in the Constitution |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Declaration of Independence and Constitution: drafting and signing
The Declaration of Independence, formally The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, is the founding document of the United States. On July 4, 1776, it was adopted unanimously by the Second Continental Congress, who convened at the Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall, in the colonial capital of Philadelphia. The delegates who adopted the Declaration became known as the Founding Fathers. The Declaration explains why the Thirteen Colonies regarded themselves as independent sovereign states no longer subject to British colonial rule.
On June 11, 1776, the Second Continental Congress appointed a Committee of Five—John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman—who were charged with drafting a statement of independence for the colonies. The committee submitted their draft to Congress following the July 2 adoption of the independence section of the Lee Resolution. Congress made significant changes to the wording during several days of debate, including the removal of nearly a fourth of the text. The final draft of the Declaration of Independence was approved on July 4, 1776, and sent to the printer for publication.
On August 2, 1776, delegates began signing the Declaration. John Hancock, the President of the Congress, signed the engrossed copy first with a bold signature. In total, 56 delegates signed the document, although not all at once. The late signers were Elbridge Gerry, Oliver Wolcott, Lewis Morris, Thomas McKean, and Matthew Thornton, who was unable to place his signature with the other New Hampshire delegates due to a lack of space. Some delegates, including Robert R. Livingston of New York, a member of the drafting committee, never signed the Declaration.
The drafting of the United States Constitution began on May 25, 1787, when the Constitutional Convention met for the first time at the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to revise the Articles of Confederation. The convention selected a Committee of Detail, composed of John Rutledge, Edmund Randolph, Nathaniel Gorham, Oliver Ellsworth, and James Wilson, to write a first draft of the Constitution. The Committee of Detail proposed a 23-article (plus preamble) constitution. A Committee of Eleven was then selected to address issues related to the Federal assumption of state debts, and a Committee of Style and Arrangement was tasked with distilling a final draft constitution from the approved articles.
The final draft of the Constitution received the unanimous approval of the state delegations. On September 17, 1787, 39 delegates from 12 states signed the approved Constitution. One delegate, John Dickinson, who was ill and not present, had George Read sign his name by proxy. Three delegates present declined to sign the document: Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry. George Washington, as president of the convention, signed first, followed by the other delegates, grouped by state in strict congressional voting order. The ratification process for the Constitution began that day and ended when the final state, Rhode Island, ratified it on May 29, 1790.
Who Oversees the House of Representatives?
You may want to see also
The Charters of Freedom
The Declaration of Independence, drafted in 1776, expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and outlines the reasons for its separation from Great Britain. It articulates the fundamental freedoms of the American people, including the famous promise that "all men are created equal". This promise was later vindicated by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which guaranteed that all persons would be granted "equal protection of the laws".
The Constitution, drafted in 1787, establishes the framework of the federal government of the United States. It implicitly guarantees the liberties alluded to in the Declaration of Independence, which were then explicitly enumerated in the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights, consisting of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, defines the rights of citizens and states in relation to the government.
The US Constitution: Foundation of a Nation's Laws and Values
You may want to see also
The Declaration of Independence: reasons for separation from Great Britain
The Declaration of Independence, formally "The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America", is the founding document of the United States. It was designed for multiple audiences: the King, the colonists, and the world. The Declaration was a formal explanation of why the Continental Congress voted to declare independence from Great Britain and its monarch.
The Declaration of Independence was written between June 11 and June 28, 1776, by Thomas Jefferson, who was a member of the Committee of Five, which was appointed by the Second Continental Congress to author the Declaration. The other members of the committee were John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman. The Committee of Five was tasked with drafting a statement presenting the colonies' case for independence to the world.
The Declaration of Independence was designed to multitask. Its goals were to rally the troops, win foreign allies, and announce the creation of a new country. The introductory sentence states the Declaration's main purpose: to explain the colonists' right to revolution. The Declaration also made certain promises about which liberties were fundamental and inherent, but these liberties didn't become legally enforceable until they were enumerated in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
The list of 27 complaints against King George III constituted proof of the right to rebellion. Congress cast "the causes which impel them to separation" in universal terms for an international audience. The most important and dramatic statement comes near the end: "That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States." This statement declares a complete break with Britain and its King and claims the powers of an independent country. The Declaration concludes that:
> "these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved."
The Declaration of Independence was a response to a series of measures enacted by the British Parliament, including the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Townshend Acts, which were designed to increase revenue from the colonies. Many colonists considered these acts to be a violation of their liberties and a threat to their freedom. When the Second Continental Congress first met in May 1775, King George III had not responded to the petition for redress of grievances sent by the First Continental Congress. The Congress gradually took on the responsibilities of a national government and coordinated a formal response, including a boycott of British goods and a petition to the King for repeal of the acts. However, these measures were unsuccessful, as King George and the Prime Minister, Lord North, were determined to enforce parliamentary supremacy over the Thirteen Colonies.
Executive Branch: Confirmation Process Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Constitution: forming the federal government
The Constitution of the United States is one of the three most important documents in American history, along with the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. The Constitution was drafted by a convention that met in the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia in 1787, twelve years after the Declaration of Independence was drafted in the same city. The Constitution forms the federal government of the United States and divides it into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. This system ensures that no individual or group has too much power.
The legislative branch is made up of Congress, which includes the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as special agencies and offices that provide support services to Congress. The legislative branch has the power to confirm or reject presidential nominations for federal agencies, federal judges, and the Supreme Court. It can also remove the president from office in exceptional circumstances.
The executive branch is headed by the president, who is the leader of the federal government and the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The vice president supports the president and becomes the president if the president is unable to serve. The executive branch also includes the Cabinet, which is made up of advisors to the president, including the vice president, heads of executive departments, and other high-ranking government officials. The president nominates Cabinet members, who must be approved by the Senate.
The judicial branch includes the Supreme Court and other federal courts. It plays a crucial role in the system of checks and balances, where each branch of government can respond to the actions of the other branches. For example, the president can veto legislation created by Congress, and Congress can confirm or reject the president's nominees for federal agencies and high court appointees.
The Constitution, along with the Bill of Rights, enumerated and made legally enforceable the liberties and freedoms that were initially alluded to in the Declaration of Independence. Amendments to the Constitution, such as the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, further guaranteed equal rights and protections for all citizens, building upon the foundation laid by the Declaration of Independence.
Commander and Chief: Who's in Charge of the Armed Forces?
You may want to see also
The Bill of Rights: legally enforcing liberties
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are considered the three most important documents in American history. They are symbols of the liberties and equality that define the United States. While the Declaration of Independence made promises about fundamental liberties, these liberties only became legally enforceable when they were enumerated in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
The Bill of Rights, inspired by Thomas Jefferson and drafted by James Madison, consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution. It was added because the Constitution lacked limits on government power. The amendments were designed to protect individual liberties by limiting government power. For example, the First Amendment protects the freedom of speech, the press, and religion, as well as the right to assemble and petition the government. The Second Amendment guarantees the right to bear arms, and the Third Amendment prevents the government from forcing homeowners to quarter soldiers without their consent. The Fourth Amendment safeguards citizens' rights to privacy and security, protecting them from unreasonable searches and seizures. The Fifth Amendment provides several protections for the accused, including the right to a grand jury, protection against double jeopardy, and due process of law. The Sixth Amendment offers additional protections for the accused, such as the right to a speedy and public trial, while the Seventh Amendment extends the right to a jury trial in federal civil cases. The Eighth Amendment prohibits excessive bail and fines, as well as cruel and unusual punishment. The Ninth Amendment asserts that the absence of a specific right from the Constitution does not mean that people do not possess that right. Finally, the Tenth Amendment restricts the powers of the federal government to only those explicitly delegated in the Constitution.
The Bill of Rights has been pivotal in the story of American liberty, but it has not always been inclusive or fully effective. Whole groups, such as women and Native Americans, were initially excluded from its protections. Additionally, it took time and significant historical events, such as the Civil War and the civil rights movement, for the liberties promised in the Declaration of Independence to be fully realized and legally enforced through the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
The Constitution's Impact on Immigration and Naturalization
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Declaration of Independence states that the United States is a country independent of England and includes a list of grievances against the English king. The Constitution, on the other hand, forms the federal government and sets the laws of the land.
The Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson, who went on to become the third President of the United States. The Constitution was written during the Constitutional Convention in 1787, with James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution", considered its principal author. Madison later became the fourth President of the United States.
The Declaration of Independence was finalised on July 4, 1776, and signed by representatives from all 13 colonies on August 2, 1776. The Constitution was written in 1787 and had 39 signatures, compared to the 56 on the Declaration of Independence.
The Declaration of Independence made promises about fundamental liberties, which were later legally enforced by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The Declaration, Constitution, and Bill of Rights are considered the three most important documents in American history, embodying the freedoms and equality that the nation was founded upon.
![A History of Violence (The Criterion Collection) [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71lqpbUFtWL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
