Simone Lawson
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are the three most important documents in American history. They are known collectively as the Charters of Freedom. The Declaration of Independence is the founding document of the United States. It was written in 1776 and expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded, including the reasons for separation from Great Britain. It is not legally binding but is considered powerful and influential. 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. It was written and signed in 1787 and ratified by the states. So, while the Declaration of Independence is a significant historical document, it is separate from the Constitution, which serves as the country's supreme law.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date written | 1776 |
| Date adopted | July 4, 1776 |
| Author | Thomas Jefferson |
| Location written | Philadelphia |
| Location signed | Independence Hall, Philadelphia |
| Location of original document | National Archives |
| Legally binding | No |
| Purpose | To express the ideals on which the United States was founded and the reasons for separation from Great Britain |
| No. of parts | 3 |
| No. of copies printed | ~200 |
| No. of surviving copies | >=27 |
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What You'll Learn
The Declaration of Independence is not legally binding
The Declaration of Independence is a powerful founding document of the United States that expresses the ideals on which the country was founded and the reasons for separation from Great Britain. It is not, however, legally binding.
The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson, who was elected chair of the committee tasked with its creation. It 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 newly independent states of America.
The Declaration is considered a legal document in the sense that it was an indictment against King George for violating the constitutional rights of the colonists. It is not a philosophical tract about natural rights but a statement of legal sovereignty. This legal sovereignty was essential for the United States to be recognised as independent by European powers.
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are the three most important documents in American history. They are known collectively as the Charters of Freedom and have secured the rights of the American people. The Constitution, ratified by the states, is the supreme law of the land, and the Bill of Rights defines citizens' and states' rights in relation to the government.
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The document's three parts
The Declaration of Independence, one of the most important documents in American history, consists of three main parts. The document, which expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded, also outlines the reasons for separation from Great Britain.
The first part of the Declaration contains an assertion of individual rights. It includes the famous line, "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." This section goes on to state that if the government attempts to take away these rights, the people have the right to establish a new government.
The second part of the Declaration lists the grievances against the King of Great Britain. The colonists accused the king of disregarding their colonial governments and infringing on their rights as English citizens, including their right to a trial by jury. They also criticised the king for sending a hired army to enforce obedience to unjust laws, deeming him "unfit to be the ruler of a free people."
The third part of the Declaration proclaims the independence of the 13 colonies from Britain and calls for the complete dissolution of political ties between the British Crown and the newly formed "Free and Independent States" of America. This section affirms the rights of the colonies to govern themselves, make trade agreements, and conduct their foreign affairs. It concludes with the signatories pledging their "Lives, Fortunes, and sacred Honor" in the pursuit of freedom.
The Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson and signed by 56 individuals, including John Hancock and Benjamin Franklin, in 1776, marked a pivotal moment in American history. It inspired similar movements for independence in other parts of the world, including the French Revolution in 1789 and the subsequent Haitian Revolution.
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The spread of democratic ideals
The Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, and the Constitution, written in 1787, are two distinct documents that played pivotal roles in the spread of democratic ideals in America and worldwide. The Declaration of Independence, penned primarily by Thomas Jefferson, outlined the principles and ideals upon which the United States was founded. It expressed the reasons for the colonies' separation from Great Britain and their desire for independence and sovereignty. The document emphasised natural rights, equality, and the pursuit of happiness, inspiring people globally to fight for freedom and equality.
The Constitution, on the other hand, served as a charter of government that defined the framework of the Federal Government of the United States. It established a central government to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land, guaranteeing citizens' rights and liberties. Both documents share similarities in their preambles and the backgrounds of their drafters. The Constitution Centre showcases these documents, providing insight into their historical context and influence on democracy.
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, along with the Bill of Rights, form the foundation of American democracy and liberty. The Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution, outlining citizens' and states' rights concerning the government. These documents, collectively known as the Charters of Freedom, have secured Americans' rights and shaped the country's philosophy and identity. The spread of these democratic ideals has inspired and influenced nations worldwide in their quests for freedom, equality, and self-governance.
The Declaration of Independence, with its powerful statement of principles, has influenced other nations seeking independence and the establishment of democratic governments. It provided a model for justifying separation from colonial powers and asserting sovereignty. The Constitution, with its vision of freedom and carefully crafted framework, has also inspired and guided the development of democratic institutions and constitutional frameworks globally. Together, these documents symbolise the enduring quest for liberty and self-governance that resonates with people worldwide.
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The ratification process
The Declaration of Independence is a document that expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and the reasons for its separation from Great Britain. It is not a constitution document, but it has been argued that it is a founding document of the United States and has important implications for interpreting the Constitution. The Declaration was drafted by the Committee of Five, including Thomas Jefferson, who largely wrote it in isolation between June 11 and June 28, 1776. The committee took no minutes, so there is some uncertainty about the drafting process, but it is known that they discussed the general outline and decided that Jefferson would write the first draft.
The Continental Congress Adopts the Declaration
On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress, whose delegates represented each of the Thirteen Colonies, unanimously adopted and ratified the Declaration of Independence. This occurred after the Lee Resolution for independence was adopted by 12 of the 13 colonies (with New York not voting) on July 1 and Congress began considering the Declaration on July 2. The revision process continued through July 3 and into July 4, when the Declaration was finally adopted in the afternoon.
Signing of the Declaration
On August 2, 1776, delegates began signing the engrossed Declaration of Independence. John Hancock, the President of Congress, was the first to sign. Most of the other members of the Second Continental Congress signed state by state on this date. The signed copy is now on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and is considered the official document.
Publication and Public Readings
The Declaration of Independence was published by The Pennsylvania Evening Post two days after its ratification, on July 8, 1776. On the same day, the first public readings of the Declaration occurred simultaneously at noon in three designated locations: Trenton, New Jersey; Easton, Pennsylvania; and Philadelphia. The printed Dunlap broadside, published by John Dunlap, was widely distributed and is now preserved at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
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The influence of republicanism
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are the three most important documents in American history. They are known collectively as the Charters of Freedom and embody the rights and ideals on which the United States was founded.
While the term "republic" is not mentioned in the Declaration of Independence, it is included in the Constitution in Article IV, which guarantees "a republican form of government" to each state in the Union. The influence of republicanism on the Declaration of Independence and its role in shaping the American Revolution is a subject of debate among scholars and politicians.
The writings of the Founding Fathers, including Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and John Adams, articulated the intellectual basis for the Declaration of Independence, reflecting republican ideals. The concept of republicanism gained prominence in the years leading up to the Declaration of Independence, although it was not widely distributed or well-formed as a political ideology. The term "'republicanism" explicitly emerged in 1776, referring to a political doctrine.
The American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence were influenced by a distrust of foreign mercenaries, leading to the concept of a national, citizen army. Military service was considered a civic duty and a demonstration of patriotism. The Founding Fathers' appreciation for self-governance and republicanism shaped the military character before the Civil War.
Republican values were also embraced by the daughters and granddaughters of "Republican mothers", who sought independence and equality in the workforce during the 1830s. These women, often descendants of men who fought in the Revolutionary War, identified as "daughters of freemen" and fought for fair wages and independence in the mills. They incorporated the rhetoric of the revolution to convey the strength of their purpose.
In conclusion, republicanism influenced the Declaration of Independence, shaping the political and social landscape of the emerging nation. It inspired ideals of self-governance, patriotism, and equality, which resonated across generations and contributed to the ongoing quest for liberty and democracy in the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
The Declaration of Independence is a founding document of the United States that expresses the ideals on which the country was founded and the reasons for separation from Great Britain.
No, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are separate documents. The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776, while the Constitution was written and signed in 1787.
The Declaration of Independence is a list of grievances against the King of England intended to justify separation from British rule. 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 Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson, who was elected chair of the committee tasked with drafting the document.
No, the Declaration of Independence is not legally binding. However, it is a powerful document that has inspired people around the world to fight for freedom and equality.
