Simone Lawson
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America are two of the most important documents in the history of the country, forming the foundation of the American Charters of Freedom. The Declaration of Independence, finalised on 4 July 1776, states that the United States of America is a country independent of England and includes a list of grievances against the English king. The US Constitution, written during the Constitutional Convention from May to September 1787, defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States.
| 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 the US is a country independent of England, and lists grievances against the English king. The Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States. |
| Authors | The Declaration of Independence was primarily drafted by Thomas Jefferson, while the Constitution was primarily written by James Madison. Only six men signed both documents. |
| Opening words | The Declaration of Independence begins with "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal..." The Constitution begins with "We the people of the United States of America"... |
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What You'll Learn
- Authors: Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration, James Madison wrote the Constitution
- Date: The Declaration was written in 1776, the Constitution in 1787
- Purpose: The Declaration states independence from Britain, the Constitution defines the US government
- Signatories: 55 signed the Declaration, more ratified the Constitution
- Preambles: The Declaration proclaims equality, the Constitution is of the people
Authors: Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration, James Madison wrote the Constitution
The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson, and the Constitution of the United States, authored by James Madison, are two important documents that laid the foundation for the birth of America. Despite being written just 11 years apart, they serve distinct purposes and have notable differences.
Thomas Jefferson, recognised for his writing prowess, was chosen by John Adams to draft the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration in isolation between June 11 and June 28, 1776, in Philadelphia. The document was then edited by Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and other members of the Committee of Five, before being presented to the Second Continental Congress for further revisions. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration was formally adopted by the Congress, marking a pivotal moment in the American Revolutionary War. The Declaration proclaimed the independence of the United States of America from Great Britain and outlined a list of grievances against the King of England.
James Madison, on the other hand, is regarded as the "Father of the Constitution." The U.S. Constitution was drafted during the Constitutional Convention, which took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia. It was written and signed by delegates from 12 of the 13 original states, as Rhode Island refused to send representatives. The Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation and established the framework for America's federal system of government. It separated the powers of the federal government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial, with the famous preamble, "We the people of the United States of America."
While Jefferson played a key role in drafting the Declaration, he was not involved in writing the Constitution. In fact, he was serving as the American Minister to France in 1787 during the Constitutional Convention. The Constitution, unlike the Declaration, does not focus on independence but rather on establishing a system of government with checks and balances. It outlines the rights and responsibilities of state governments and the federal government's structure and powers.
In summary, the Declaration of Independence, authored by Thomas Jefferson, proclaimed America's independence from Great Britain and outlined the ideals of liberty and self-governance. The Constitution, crafted by James Madison, established the framework for the U.S. government, separated powers, and guaranteed certain rights and freedoms. These documents, despite their distinct purposes and authors, are both fundamental to the creation and functioning of the United States of America.
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Date: The Declaration was written in 1776, the Constitution in 1787
The dates of composition are one of the key differences between the US Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776, and the Constitution was written in 1787, over a decade later.
The Declaration of Independence was written and signed in the 18th century, during the American Revolution, a time when the colonists were seeking independence from Great Britain. The document was finalised on July 4, 1776, and printed by John Dunlap. It was then signed by representatives from all 13 colonies on August 2, 1776. The Declaration of Independence was penned primarily by Thomas Jefferson, with contributions from John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and others. It proclaims the independence of the United States of America from Great Britain and includes a list of grievances against the King of England.
On the other hand, the US Constitution was drafted in secret during the summer of 1787 by delegates to the Constitutional Convention, which convened on May 14, 1787, in Philadelphia. The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, establishing the government of the United States. It consists of seven articles that define the framework of the federal government and embody the separation of powers into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. James Madison, considered the "Father of the Constitution," later became the fourth president of the United States.
The dates of composition reflect the distinct purposes of the two documents. The Declaration of Independence was created during a time of revolution, as a statement of independence and a list of grievances against the British monarchy. The Constitution, on the other hand, was crafted over a decade later to establish a new government and set the laws for the newly independent nation.
Despite being written just 11 years apart, only six men—George Clymer, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, George Read, Roger Sherman, and James Wilson—signed both documents. This highlights the unique contexts and purposes of each document in shaping the early United States of America.
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Purpose: The Declaration states independence from Britain, the Constitution defines the US government
The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution are both foundational documents in American history, but they serve different purposes. The Declaration of Independence, finalised and signed in 1776, states that the United States of America is a country independent of England, and includes a list of grievances against the English king. It expresses the ideals on which the new nation was founded and the reasons for separation from Great Britain. The famous preamble of the Declaration of Independence asserts that "all men are created equal" and possess unalienable rights, including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness".
The US Constitution, on the other hand, defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States. It begins with the words "We the people of the United States of America", indicating that the government is "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, over a decade after the Declaration of Independence. The Constitution was designed to clarify what the "United States" meant, as there was confusion following the end of the war in 1783 about whether the individual states constituted a single sovereign nation or thirteen independent nations.
The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were both signed by Benjamin Franklin, who was one of only a few Americans to sign both documents. Thomas Jefferson, who would become the third president of the United States, was the principal drafter of the Declaration of Independence, while James Madison, the ""Father of the Constitution"" and future fourth president, played a crucial role in securing its ratification.
While the Declaration of Independence proclaims the independence and ideals of the new nation, the US Constitution establishes the structure and principles of the US government, showing the complementary nature of these foundational documents. The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are collectively known as the Charters of Freedom, which form the bedrock of American democracy and are enshrined in the Rotunda of the National Archives.
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Signatories: 55 signed the Declaration, more ratified the Constitution
The Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, was signed by 56 delegates (although one source mentions 55) representing the 13 colonies. These delegates, who became known as the Founding Fathers, were committing an act of high treason against the Crown, punishable by torture and death. The Declaration was a statement of the colonies' independence from British rule, and it included a list of grievances against the King of England.
The U.S. Constitution, on the other hand, was written and signed during the Constitutional Convention from May 25 to September 17, 1787. 38 out of 41 delegates present signed the document, agreeing that it would not be binding until ratified by nine of the 13 existing states. The Constitution begins with "We the people of the United States of America," indicating that it is a document created by and for the people of the United States.
It is important to note that only six individuals signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution: George Clymer, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, George Read, Roger Sherman, and James Wilson. Thomas Jefferson, the principal drafter of the Declaration of Independence, was not involved in writing the Constitution as he was serving as the American Minister to France at the time.
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution have distinct purposes and historical contexts. The Declaration of Independence established the independence of the United States from Great Britain, while the Constitution outlines the form and principles of the U.S. government and the rights of its citizens. The Constitution was created to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which had established a weak union of the states after the war for independence.
While the Declaration of Independence does not have the force of law domestically, it provides historical and legal context for the Constitution and other laws. The liberties and rights outlined in the Declaration became legally enforceable through the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The process of ratifying the Constitution by the states and the subsequent adoption of the Bill of Rights helped transform the United States into a more unified and robust nation.
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Preambles: The Declaration proclaims equality, the Constitution is of the people
The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution are two of the three documents that form the Charters of Freedom, which also includes the Bill of Rights. The Charters of Freedom are considered instrumental to the founding and philosophy of the United States.
The Declaration of Independence was finalised on 4 July 1776, and signed by representatives from the 13 colonies on 2 August. The document proclaims that the United States is a country independent of England and includes a list of grievances against the King of England. The famous preamble to the Declaration of Independence reads:
> "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 was written at the Constitutional Convention from May 25 to September 17, 1787. It defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States. The Constitution begins with the words: "We the people of the United States of America", indicating that the government is "of the people, for the people, and by the people". At the time, the idea of a government "for the people" was novel.
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Frequently asked questions
The Declaration of Independence, which dates back to 1776, expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and lists the reasons for separation from Great Britain.
The Constitution, written in 1787, defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States.
Thomas Jefferson, who went on to become the third president of the United States, was the principal drafter of the Declaration of Independence. James Madison, considered the "Father of the Constitution," served as the fourth president of the United States.
