Malcolm Rivera
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are two of the most important documents in American history. They were written 11 years apart, in 1776 and 1787, respectively, and both were signed in the Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall). The Declaration of Independence, with its famous preamble stating that all men are created equal, expresses the idea that man should be free and sets up a framework to protect and expand that freedom. The Constitution, on the other hand, formed the federal government and set the laws of the land. Despite their similarities, there are important differences between the two documents.
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What You'll Learn
Similarities and differences between the documents
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are two of the most important documents in American history. Despite being written just 11 years apart, they serve different purposes and have distinct contents.
The Declaration of Independence, finalised on the 4th of July, 1776, states that the United States of America is a country independent of England. It includes a list of grievances against the King of England, accusing him of neglecting the necessary exercise of legislative powers. The famous preamble to the Declaration of Independence begins with: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
The US Constitution, on the other hand, formed the federal government and set the laws of the land. It begins with the words: "We the people of the United States of America," indicating that it is a government "of the people, for the people, and by the people." The Constitution was written during the Constitutional Convention from May 25 to September 17, 1787.
Both documents were drafted by a Congress and convention in the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, now known as Independence Hall. Interestingly, only six men signed both documents. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution also share a similar background in terms of their drafters, who were generally educated white men of property.
While the Declaration of Independence has no amendments, the Constitution originally had 12. The Declaration's principal drafter, Thomas Jefferson, became the third President of the United States, while James Madison, considered the "Father of the Constitution," served as the fourth President.
In conclusion, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, though distinct documents, are complementary in their roles in establishing the nation of the United States of America and outlining its values and laws.
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The writers and signers of the documents
The writers and signers of the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were some of the most influential figures in American history.
The Writers of the Declaration of Independence
On June 11, 1776, the Continental Congress selected a "Committee of Five" to draft the Declaration of Independence. This committee included John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, Robert R. Livingston of New York, and Roger Sherman of Connecticut. Thomas Jefferson was tasked with drafting the initial statement, which justified the 13 North American colonies' break from Great Britain. The committee reviewed and made corrections to Jefferson's draft, and the final Declaration of Independence was regarded as a collective effort of the Continental Congress. It was not until the 1790s that Jefferson was recognized as its principal author.
The Signers of the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was signed by representatives from the 13 colonies, but the specific individuals who signed the document are not well-documented. The process of achieving independence and the subsequent formation of the Constitution was a collective effort involving many individuals.
The Writers of the US Constitution
The US Constitution was written by a group of 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention. These delegates were appointed by the original states, except for Rhode Island, which did not send any representatives. Notable writers and contributors to the Constitution included James Madison Jr., who is often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution."
The Signers of the US Constitution
Out of the 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention, only 39 individuals signed the US Constitution. The age of the signers ranged from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who had to be carried to the sessions due to his infirmity.
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The documents' historical contexts
The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution are two of the most important documents in American history. The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776, during a period of increasing tension between the 13 American colonies and Great Britain. The American colonists were in disagreement with British imperial policies regarding taxation and frontier policy, and their protests were met with the closing of the port of Boston and the declaration of martial law in Massachusetts. In August 1775, the King of Great Britain declared the colonists to be in a state of "open and avowed rebellion". The publication of Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense" in early 1776 further fuelled the movement for independence, and on June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee introduced a motion in Congress to declare independence.
The Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson, who was elected chair of the committee tasked with writing it. Jefferson borrowed from existing documents like the Virginia Declaration of Rights and incorporated Enlightenment ideals. The Declaration has three parts: a preamble, a list of grievances against the King of Great Britain, and a declaration of independence from Britain and the dissolution of all political connections between the British Crown and the "Free and Independent States" of America. The final text was ratified by Congress on July 4, 1776, and the official printing, known as the Dunlap Broadside, was published on the night of July 4 and the morning of July 5, with approximately 200 copies distributed.
The US Constitution, on the other hand, was drafted over a decade later in 1787. The period between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution was marked by the creation of state constitutions and the Articles of Confederation, which established a weak union governed by the states. However, the Articles of Confederation proved inadequate, as the central government lacked the power to regulate commerce, tax, or effectively support a war effort. It also struggled to settle quarrels between states.
The Constitution was drafted by a convention that met in the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, with General George Washington elected unanimously as president. The process was influenced by James Madison's study of history and political theory, and his conviction that a confederacy of independent states was insufficient. The final version of the Constitution was presented to the convention on September 12, 1787, and it was officially adopted in 1788.
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The documents' influence on each other
The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution are two of the most important documents in American history. Both documents were drafted and signed in the Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, just 11 years apart. The Declaration of Independence was finalised and signed by representatives from all 13 colonies on 4 July 1776, with signatures continuing through the fall of that year and perhaps as late as 1781. The US Constitution was written during the Constitutional Convention from May to September 1787.
The Declaration of Independence, principally drafted by Thomas Jefferson, proclaims the independence of the United States of America from Great Britain and lists the wrongdoings of the King of Great Britain. The US Constitution, meanwhile, formed the federal government and set the laws of the land. Despite their differences, both documents are similar in that they were drafted by people of similar backgrounds—generally educated white men of property—and both contain preambles.
The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution also share similarities in their signatories. Pennsylvania had the largest representation in both documents, with nine delegates signing the Declaration, eight signing the Constitution, and four signing both. Six men—George Clymer, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, George Read, Roger Sherman, and James Wilson—signed both documents. Benjamin Franklin, at 70, was the oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence, and at 81, the oldest signer of the Constitution.
The two documents also share similarities in their content. Both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution contain declarations of rights, with the former stating that "all men are created equal". However, it is important to note that neither document attempted to halt the business of slavery. The US Constitution, for example, allowed for each slave to count as three-fifths of a person when determining representation in Congress and taxation.
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The documents' influence on future American history
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are two of the most important documents in American history. They have had a profound impact on the country's future, shaping its government, laws, and society.
The Declaration of Independence, finalised and signed on 2nd August 1776, was the birth certificate of the American nation. It was the first document to use the name "the United States of America" and enshrined the ideals on which the nation was founded, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As the first successful declaration of independence in world history, it inspired countless movements for independence, self-determination, and revolution. The Declaration's influence extended beyond North America, with translations appearing across Europe and inspiring diplomatic debates in France. The Franco-American Treaty of Amity and Commerce of February 1778 was the first formal recognition of the United States as "free and independent states". The Declaration also influenced the French Revolution, with the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789) borrowing language from American state constitutions and George Mason's Virginia Declaration of Rights. The Declaration's impact was also felt in the Russian Empire, particularly in the Decembrist revolt.
The Constitution, signed on 17th September 1787, was a landmark event in the history of governments. It established a powerful central government, with rule by popular consent and laws drafted by the people's representatives. The Constitution had a significant global impact on legal thinking and adaptation in emerging nations. European colonies in the mid-19th century referenced it when developing their own freely elected governments, citing the rights of man and the separation of powers. The President of Mexico, Benito Juarez, implemented practices like judicial review when introducing more liberal policies into the Mexican constitution. Latin American countries in the 19th and 20th centuries followed suit by developing similar constitutions and a federalist framework of government. The Constitution also influenced Asian nationalists such as Jose Rizal of the Philippines and Sun Yat-sen of China, who drew inspiration from it in their efforts to establish republican governments.
Both documents continue to shape American history, with the Constitution serving as the foundation of the country's legal system and the Declaration of Independence providing historical and legal clarity. They represent the country's ongoing quest for liberty and equality, influencing future amendments and shaping the nation's identity.
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Frequently asked questions
The Declaration of Independence, finalised in 1776, states that the United States of America is a country independent of England and includes a list of grievances against the King of England. The Constitution, written in 1787, formed the federal government and set the laws of the land.
The Declaration of Independence was signed by the majority of delegates on 2nd August 1776, with signatures continuing through the fall of 1776 and perhaps as late as 1781. The Constitution was signed on 17th September 1787. Only six men signed both documents: George Clymer, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, George Read, Roger Sherman, and James Wilson.
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are two of the most important documents in American history. They were written 11 years apart and both express the idea that man should be free. However, they were not drafted and signed by the same people.
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