Malcolm Rivera
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America are two of the most important documents in the country's history. They are both part of the Charters of Freedom, which also includes the Bill of Rights, and form the foundation of American democracy. The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson, expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and its reasons for separation from Great Britain. It states that all men are created equal and have unalienable rights, including Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. The Constitution, on the other hand, defines the framework of the US Federal Government and outlines the rights of citizens and states in relation to it. While the Declaration of Independence is not legally binding, it has been a powerful influence on American identity and inspired people worldwide to fight for freedom and equality. The Constitution, on the other hand, is a legally binding document that became the law of the land after being ratified by three-quarters of the states.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founding documents of the United States | Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights |
| Legal status | Declaration of Independence is not legally binding |
| Legal status | Constitution is legally binding once three-quarters of the states ratified it |
| Purpose | Declaration of Independence expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and the reasons for separation from Great Britain |
| Purpose | Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States |
| Influence | The Declaration of Independence was influenced by John Locke's philosophy of the "social contract" |
| Influence | The Constitution was influenced by the Declaration of Independence |
| Signatories | Benjamin Franklin is one of the few Americans to have signed both documents |
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What You'll Learn
- Both documents are part of the Charters of Freedom
- The Declaration of Independence is not legally binding, unlike the Constitution
- The Declaration of Independence outlines the reasons for separation from Great Britain
- The Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government of the US
- Both documents were influenced by the philosophy of Englishman John Locke
Both documents are part of the Charters of Freedom
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America are two of the three documents that make up the Charters of Freedom. These documents are considered the foundation of the United States and are integral to its philosophy and identity. They are so important that they are enshrined in the Rotunda of the National Archives, where they are displayed in an altar-like setting. The Charters of Freedom are considered a "shrine to American democracy", with the Rotunda featuring two murals depicting fictional scenes of the "presentations" of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
The Charters of Freedom are milestone documents that highlight pivotal moments in the course of American history and government. The Declaration of Independence, for example, expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and the reasons for its separation from Great Britain. It states the principles on which the American government and identity are based, including the belief that "all men are created equal" and endowed with "certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.".
The Constitution, on the other hand, defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States. It outlines the system of government envisioned for the American people, and once it was ratified by three-quarters of the states, it became the law of the land. The Constitution was written in the present tense to make it a "living document", demonstrating its ongoing relevance and adaptability to changing circumstances.
The third document that completes the Charters of Freedom is the Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution. The Bill of Rights defines the rights of citizens and states in relation to the Federal Government, further securing the freedoms and principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence and enshrined in the Constitution.
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The Declaration of Independence is not legally binding, unlike the Constitution
The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution are both foundational documents in American history. However, a key difference lies in their legal status. While the Constitution is legally binding, the Declaration of Independence is not.
The Declaration of Independence, drafted in 1776, holds significant symbolic and ideological value. It expresses the ideals and principles on which the United States was founded and articulates the reasons for the colonies' separation from Great Britain. The Declaration proclaims that "all men are created equal" and endowed with certain unalienable rights, including "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." This document served as a powerful statement of the colonies' aspirations and their desire to establish a new nation based on these principles.
In contrast, the US Constitution, completed in 1787, is the supreme law of the land. It establishes the framework and structure of the federal government, outlining the distribution of powers and the rights and responsibilities of citizens and states. The Constitution is legally enforceable, providing a set of rules and guidelines that govern the functioning of the country.
The Declaration of Independence, while not legally binding, has had a profound influence on the nation's identity and values. It has inspired people worldwide to fight for freedom and equality. Abraham Lincoln described it as “a rebuke and a stumbling-block to tyranny and oppression,” reflecting its enduring significance in American democracy. The Declaration's role is to express the fundamental ideals that underpin the nation, while the Constitution's role is to provide a practical framework for governance within that broader ideological context.
The process by which the Constitution became legally binding is also important to note. After the Constitutional Convention in 1787, the proposed Constitution had to be ratified by three-quarters of the states to become the law of the land. This involved each state holding its own separate Ratification Convention to debate and decide on the document. The Federalist Papers, written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, played a crucial role in securing ratification in key states.
In conclusion, while both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are foundational to the United States, they differ in their legal status. The Declaration of Independence serves as a powerful statement of principles, while the Constitution is the legally binding document that outlines the specific rules and structure of the US government and its citizens' rights.
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The Declaration of Independence outlines the reasons for separation from Great Britain
The Declaration of Independence outlines the reasons for the separation of the United States from Great Britain. It is a statement of the principles and ideals on which the US was founded, including the belief that "all men are created equal" and have "unalienable Rights", such as "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness". The document is not legally binding but is considered powerful and influential, inspiring people worldwide to fight for freedom and equality.
The Declaration of Independence was drafted in 1776, influenced by the philosophy of Englishman John Locke, who expanded the notion of the "social contract" between the governed and the governing. Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration, was greatly influenced by Locke's ideas, which are evident throughout the document. The Declaration also drew on the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which asserted the rights of Virginians and helped spark the American Revolution.
The Declaration of Independence is one of the three Charters of Freedom, along with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. These documents form the foundation of American democracy and are considered instrumental to the philosophy and governing framework of the United States. The Constitution, ratified in 1787, established a new system of government for the American people, defining the structure and powers of the Federal Government.
The process of drafting and ratifying the Constitution was challenging, with delegates from twelve states (excluding Rhode Island) meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 to revise the ineffective Articles of Confederation. The resulting Constitution was a compromise that balanced the interests of the states and laid the groundwork for a more unified nation. Benjamin Franklin, one of the few Americans to sign both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, recognised the importance of these documents in shaping the future of the country.
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are both powerful expressions of American ideals and governance. While the Declaration outlines the reasons for separation from Great Britain and the principles on which the nation was founded, the Constitution establishes the framework for the Federal Government and protects the rights of citizens and states. Together, these documents have guided the United States and inspired people worldwide in their pursuit of freedom and equality.
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The Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government of the US
The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution are foundational documents that have shaped the US government and the American identity. The Declaration of Independence, expressing the ideals upon which the United States was founded and its separation from Great Britain, is not legally binding but holds immense symbolic power. The Constitution, on the other hand, defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States and is the supreme law of the land.
The Constitution establishes the structure and powers of the federal government, outlining the system of checks and balances among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. It delineates the roles and responsibilities of each branch, ensuring a balance of power and safeguarding against the concentration of authority. The Constitution also outlines the rights and freedoms of citizens, which are further expanded upon in the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution.
The creation of the Constitution was influenced by the social contract philosophy of English thinker John Locke, which emphasises the rights of citizens and the limitations of government power. The Constitution was crafted in 1787 by delegates from twelve states (excluding Rhode Island) who gathered in Philadelphia to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation and to define the meaning of the "United States". Their deliberations resulted in a new system of government envisioned for the American people.
The Constitution is a living document, written in the present tense, and it has endured as the foundation of American democracy. It has been amended over time to reflect the evolving needs and values of American society, with the Bill of Rights being a crucial component in safeguarding citizens' liberties. The Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, along with the Bill of Rights, form the Charters of Freedom, enshrining the principles of freedom, equality, and limited government power that have guided the United States since its inception.
The Constitution, through its definition of the federal government's framework, has ensured a more unified nation, resolving disagreements between states and clarifying the meaning of the "United States". It has provided a structure for governance that respects the rights of citizens and states while promoting stability and order. The Constitution's ratification process, which required three-quarters of the states' approval, further emphasised the importance of consensus and representation in the formation of the US government.
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Both documents were influenced by the philosophy of Englishman John Locke
John Locke was an English philosopher whose works are considered foundational texts of modern philosophical empiricism and political liberalism. Locke's philosophy inspired and reflected Enlightenment values, including the recognition of individual rights and equality, criticism of arbitrary authority, advocacy for religious tolerance, and an empirical and scientific temperament.
Locke's political theory directly influenced the US Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. In his work, Locke asserted that men are naturally free and equal, challenging the notion that God had made people naturally subject to a monarch. He argued that people have rights, such as the right to life, liberty, and property, that exist independently of any particular society's laws. This belief in natural rights and natural law was a central concept in his political philosophy.
Locke's concept of the social contract, which states that "rational people" should believe in organised government, also influenced the writers of the Declaration of Independence. He believed that government was obligated to follow the will of the majority that created it, a concept known as popular sovereignty. Locke's philosophy also included the idea that every citizen was equal in the eyes of the government and that citizens had the right to rebel and remove the figurehead if the government failed to fulfil its duties. This notion inspired the colonists' fight against the British for independence.
Locke's influence can be seen in the Declaration of Independence's references to "inalienable rights" and "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Thomas Jefferson altered Locke's statement about the rights to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of property" to include the pursuit of happiness instead. Locke's philosophy also advocated for a separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, a feature that was later incorporated into the US Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
Both documents are considered to be the foundation of American democracy and identity. They are part of the Charters of Freedom, which also includes the Bill of Rights.
The Declaration of Independence is not legally binding, whereas the Constitution is a legally binding document that forms the framework of the Federal Government of the United States.
Thomas Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, influenced by the English philosopher John Locke's "social contract" theory. Benjamin Franklin and George Washington were among the few Americans to have signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay wrote the Federalist Papers, which played a crucial role in securing the Constitution's ratification.
