Simone Lawson
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America are foundational documents that form the bedrock of the Charters of Freedom, which also includes the Bill of Rights. Both documents were written just 11 years apart, and only six men signed both. The Declaration of Independence, finalised on July 4, 1776, expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and its reasons for separation from Great Britain. The Constitution, written in 1787, defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States and sets the laws of the land. This text explores the similarities and differences between these two documents that laid the foundation for the birth of America.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Both documents were signed by Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin was one of only six men to sign both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The other five were George Clymer, Robert Morris, George Read, Roger Sherman, and James Wilson. Franklin was the oldest member of the assembly when the Constitution was signed in 1787.
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are both considered foundational documents of the United States. The Declaration of Independence, finalised on July 4, 1776, states that the United States is a country independent of England and includes a list of grievances against the King of England. The Constitution, written 11 years later, forms the federal government and sets the laws of the land.
Franklin's contributions to the founding of the United States extended beyond his signatures on these documents. He was an active participant in the political debates and discussions that shaped the nation's early history. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress, where he helped draft the Declaration of Independence, and was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, where he contributed to the framing of the Constitution.
The signing of both documents by Benjamin Franklin underscores his significant role in the creation and development of the United States. His involvement in shaping the nation's foundational documents reflects his commitment to the principles of freedom, independence, and self-governance that continue to define the United States today.
Civil Constitution of Clergy: Power Grab by Napoleon?
You may want to see also
Both declare the US as an independent nation
The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution are two of the most important documents in the history of the United States. Both documents are considered the "bedrock" of the American Charters of Freedom, which also includes the Bill of Rights. These documents are enshrined in the Rotunda of the National Archives, and Abraham Lincoln referred to them as "American scripture".
The Declaration of Independence, finalised and signed by representatives from all 13 colonies in 1776, states that the United States of America is a country independent of England. It also includes a list of grievances against the King of England. The US Constitution, written 11 years later in 1787, formed the federal government and set the laws of the land. It defines the framework of the US Federal Government and was written in the present tense to make it a "living document".
The Declaration of Independence was principally drafted by Thomas Jefferson, who went on to become the third President of the United States. The US Constitution, meanwhile, was written by James Madison, who became the fourth President. Interestingly, only six men signed both documents: George Clymer, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, George Read, Roger Sherman, and James Wilson.
While the Declaration of Independence declares the US as a country independent of England, the US Constitution was written partly in response to the question of what the "United States" meant. In 1783, after the war ended, it was unclear whether the 13 states were a collective that made one sovereign nation or 13 independent nations. Disagreements arose between the new states, and by 1787, it was apparent that a new system of government was needed. Delegates from 12 states (Rhode Island did not send a representative) assembled in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation.
The Core Aim of Constitutions
You may want to see also
Both were written within 11 years of each other
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America were written within 11 years of each other. The Declaration of Independence was finalised on 4 July 1776 and the Constitution was written during the Constitutional Convention, which took place from 25 May to 17 September 1787.
Both documents were written in quick succession due to the pressing need to establish a new system of government for the American people. The American Revolution and the subsequent armed conflict with British forces in 1775 led to the creation of the Declaration of Independence, which formally separated the 13 colonies from Great Britain and established the United States of America as an independent nation.
However, in the years following the war, there was confusion and disagreement among the 13 states about whether they formed a single sovereign nation or existed as independent nations. This led to the calling of the Constitutional Convention in 1787 to address these issues and create a unified system of government. The Constitution established the framework for the federal government of the United States and set the laws of the land.
Despite being written within a short time frame, only six men—George Clymer, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, George Read, Roger Sherman, and James Wilson—signed both documents. Benjamin Franklin, the oldest member of the assembly, was one of the few Americans to sign both.
Is It Cyberbullying When...?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Both are enshrined in the Rotunda of the National Archives
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America are both enshrined in the Rotunda of the National Archives. The Rotunda, designed by architect John Russell Pope, serves as a shrine to American democracy. It features two murals by Barry Faulkner, depicting fictional scenes of the "presentations" of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The Rotunda is also home to the Charters of Freedom, a group of documents that includes the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. These documents form the foundation of American democracy and are considered instrumental to the founding and philosophy of the United States.
The Declaration of Independence, finalised on July 4, 1776, proclaims the independence of the United States of America from Great Britain and outlines the ideals on which the new nation was founded. The Constitution, written eleven years later during the Constitutional Convention of 1787, establishes the framework of the federal government of the United States and sets the laws of the land.
Both documents are significant in their own right and have played a crucial role in shaping the course of American history. The Declaration of Independence, with its famous preamble affirming the self-evident truth that "all men are created equal," embodies the ideals of liberty and equality that underpin the American nation. The Constitution, on the other hand, provides the practical framework for governance, ensuring a functioning and stable government for the newly formed country.
Despite their distinct purposes, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution share some notable similarities. Both documents were written within a short period of each other, during a pivotal moment in American history. They were influenced by similar philosophical ideas, such as the belief in natural rights and the capacity of people to govern themselves. Additionally, both documents were signed by a few of the same individuals, including Benjamin Franklin, who was one of only six people to sign both.
The Rotunda of the National Archives, therefore, serves as a symbolic and physical representation of the connection between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. By housing these documents together, the Rotunda underscores their equal importance in the establishment and development of the United States as a nation. Visitors to the Rotunda can bear witness to the foundational texts of American democracy, gaining a deeper understanding of the country's guiding principles and the sacrifices made to secure them.
Understanding the Cost of Services: Decoding Fee Phrases
You may want to see also
Both are considered American scripture
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America are both considered foundational texts in American history. They are often referred to as "American scripture", a term popularised by Abraham Lincoln, who also used the phrase "American civil religion" to describe their place in the country's collective memory. The documents are enshrined in the Rotunda of the National Archives, where their physical presentation in an altar-like setting further emphasises their sacred status in the secular context of the nation.
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are part of the Charters of Freedom, a group of documents that also includes the Bill of Rights. These texts form the bedrock of the American nation, articulating the ideals and principles on which the country was founded. The Charters of Freedom are considered instrumental to the founding and philosophy of the United States, and they have secured the rights of the American people for over two centuries.
The Declaration of Independence, finalised on 4 July 1776, expresses the reasons for the separation of the thirteen American colonies from Great Britain. It includes a list of grievances against the King of England and asserts the independence and sovereignty of the United States. The Constitution, written eleven years after the Declaration, establishes the framework of the federal government and sets the laws of the land. It was deliberately composed in the present tense to make it a "living document", ensuring its ongoing relevance and adaptability to changing circumstances.
Despite their distinct purposes and historical contexts, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution share a common purpose in shaping the identity and governance of the United States. Both documents reflect the evolving nature of the American experiment, with the Constitution building upon the principles proclaimed in the Declaration. The similarities and differences between the two texts illustrate the complexities and nuances inherent in the country's founding principles and their interpretation over time.
Transcription: Understanding the Process and Its True Nature
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution, along with the Bill of Rights, form the foundation of the American Charters of Freedom.
Both documents laid the groundwork for the birth of America and its independence from England.
Thomas Jefferson was the principal drafter of the Declaration of Independence, while James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution", was the primary author of the US Constitution.
Only six men—George Clymer, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, George Read, Roger Sherman, and James Wilson—signed both documents. There were 56 signatures on the Declaration of Independence and 39 on the Constitution.
The Declaration of Independence begins with the famous line, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal...". The US Constitution starts with the words, "We the people of the United States of America...", reflecting its nature as a document "of the people, for the people, and by the people."
