Simone Lawson
The Declaration of Independence, formally The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America, expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and outlines the reasons for its separation from Great Britain. The document, which was unanimously adopted by the Second Continental Congress in July 1776, asserts the sovereignty and independence of the Thirteen Colonies, stating that they are free and independent States no longer subject to British rule. It emphasizes certain unalienable rights, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and establishes the right of the people to alter or abolish governments that fail to secure these rights. The Declaration of Independence, along with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, form the Charters of Freedom, securing the rights of Americans and serving as the foundation of the United States' philosophy and governance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States | The Constitution establishes the structure and powers of the federal government, outlining its role and responsibilities. |
| Secures the rights of the American people | The Declaration of Independence outlines the ideals of freedom, equality, and certain unalienable rights, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. |
| Establishes independence and sovereignty | The Declaration of Independence asserts the sovereignty of the United States, declaring its independence from Great Britain and dissolving political connections. |
| Grants power to levy war, conclude peace, and conduct foreign affairs | As independent states, the colonies had the authority to levy war, establish peace treaties, form alliances, and conduct international trade. |
| Protects citizens' rights and liberties | The Bill of Rights, comprising the first ten amendments, safeguards citizens' rights, including freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, and limits the government's power. |
| Provides for uniform laws and standards | The Constitution ensures uniform laws on naturalization, bankruptcy, coinage, weights and measures, and intellectual property rights. |
| Establishes a system of checks and balances | The Constitution outlines the powers of different branches of government, including the judiciary, and establishes inferior tribunals to the Supreme Court. |
| Ensures fair administration of justice | The Declaration of Independence criticizes the obstruction of justice and judicial independence, emphasizing the importance of a fair and independent judiciary. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The US Declaration of Independence
The Declaration summarised the colonists' motivations for seeking independence, listing 27 colonial grievances against King George III and asserting the natural and legal rights of the colonists, including the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It proclaimed that "all men are created equal" and endowed with certain "unalienable rights", and that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed. It also asserted the right of the people to alter or abolish any government that becomes destructive of these ends.
The Declaration was a pivotal moment in American history, severing political connections with Great Britain and establishing the independence and sovereignty of the United Colonies. It allowed for the recognition of the United States by foreign governments, such as France, and enabled the confirmation of official alliances to aid in the war against Great Britain. The Declaration expressed the ideals on which the United States was founded and continues to be a foundational document in American democracy, influencing subsequent documents such as the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
The Declaration of Independence has had a lasting impact on American society and governance. It set a precedent for state and local declarations of independence, with over ninety such declarations issued throughout the Thirteen Colonies from April to July 1776. The Declaration has also been invoked in subsequent years to argue for the extension of rights to marginalised groups, such as in Harvey Milk's 1978 speech alluding to the Declaration to argue for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
Congress' Powers: Understanding Constitutional Limits
You may want to see also
The Constitution defines the Federal Government
The Constitution of the United States defines the framework of the Federal Government. It divides the federal government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. This ensures that no individual or group has too much power.
The legislative branch is made up of Congress (the Senate and House of Representatives) and special agencies and offices that provide support services to Congress. Congress has the power to make all laws necessary for carrying into execution the powers vested by the Constitution in the Government of the United States. Congress can also confirm or reject presidential nominations for heads of federal agencies, federal judges, and the Supreme Court.
The executive branch includes the President, who is the head of state, leader of the federal government, and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, as well as the Vice President, executive departments, independent agencies, and other boards, commissions, and committees. The President can veto legislation created by Congress and nominate heads of federal agencies and high court appointees.
The judicial branch includes the Supreme Court and other federal courts. It interprets the laws of the land and can review and overturn laws and actions of the other branches of government if they are found to be unconstitutional.
The Constitution also outlines the balance of power between the national government and the states, with the national government having only limited and enumerated powers, and the states having all the remaining powers. This is known as "Enumerated Powers Federalism". The Tenth Amendment reinforces this principle by stating that "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people."
The Election of 1800: Constitution's Testing Times
You may want to see also
The Bill of Rights
Additionally, the Bill of Rights prohibits Congress from making any law respecting an establishment of religion and prohibits the federal government from depriving any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. It guarantees a speedy public trial with an impartial jury in the district where the crime occurred and prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, as well as compelled self-incrimination.
The Constitution Adapts: Voting Qualifications Evolve
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Separation from Great Britain
The separation of the 13 North American colonies from Great Britain was formally established in the Declaration of Independence, which was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The Declaration was a formal explanation of why the Continental Congress voted to declare independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. It was written by Thomas Jefferson, who was appointed by the Committee of Five to author the document.
The Declaration summarised the colonists' motivations for seeking independence. The colonists argued that Parliament had no right to levy taxes upon them, as they were not directly represented in Parliament. This dispute was part of a larger divergence between British and American interpretations of the British Constitution and the extent of Parliament's authority in the colonies. The colonists also believed that the Coercive Acts, including the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Townshend Acts, violated the British Constitution and threatened their liberties.
In the years leading up to the Declaration, the colonists took several steps towards severing ties with Britain. In December 1775, they denied Parliamentary sovereignty over the colonies and advised the colonies to establish their own governments. They also organised a boycott of British goods and petitioned the king for a repeal of the acts, but these measures were unsuccessful. By early 1776, public support for independence had strengthened considerably, especially after learning of Parliament's passage of the Prohibitory Act, which blocked American ports and declared American ships to be enemy vessels.
The Declaration's diplomatic effect was significant, as it allowed for recognition of the United States by foreign governments. However, it did not have the force of law domestically. The official British response to the Declaration attempted to dismiss it as a trivial document issued by disgruntled colonists.
Business Ownership: What Does It Really Mean?
You may want to see also
The rights of citizens and states
The Tenth Amendment explicitly states that the federal government only has the powers delegated to it by the Constitution, and any powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people. This amendment ensures that states maintain a level of autonomy and self-governance, with the ability to make laws and policies that best fit their specific needs.
The Ninth Amendment further emphasizes that the listing of specific rights in the Constitution does not negate other rights not explicitly mentioned. This acknowledges the evolving nature of rights and ensures that individuals retain certain inherent rights even if they are not explicitly defined in the Constitution.
The Fourteenth Amendment, created after the Civil War, was pivotal in defining citizenship and ensuring that individual rights were applied uniformly across the states. Prior to this amendment, the Constitution did not provide a clear definition of citizenship, allowing states to set their own rules, often with racist implications. The Fourteenth Amendment established a simple national rule: anyone born in America is a US citizen. This amendment also conferred fundamental privileges and immunities to American citizens, protecting their rights against abuses by both state and federal governments.
The rights of citizens are further protected by various other amendments. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and the right to petition the government. The Second Amendment provides citizens with the right to keep and bear arms. The Fifth Amendment offers protections for those accused of crimes, including the right against self-incrimination and the protection from double jeopardy. The Sixth Amendment provides additional rights to the accused, such as the right to a speedy and public trial and representation by a lawyer. These amendments ensure that citizens are treated fairly and justly by the government and the legal system.
In conclusion, the US Constitution, through its amendments, safeguards the rights of citizens and states by delineating specific freedoms and limitations. The Bill of Rights, the Fourteenth Amendment, and other amendments work together to define and protect the rights of individuals and the autonomy of states within the federal system.
Constitutional Constraints: Limiting Powers of the People and Government
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Declaration of Independence expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and the reasons for separation from Great Britain. It explains why the Thirteen Colonies regarded themselves as independent sovereign states no longer subject to British colonial rule.
The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. It defines citizens’ and states’ rights in relation to the Government.
The Bill of Rights outlines the following rights: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
