Declaration's Place In The Constitution: Explained

The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are considered the founding documents of the United States. The Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and its reasons for separation from Great Britain. The Constitution, written in 1787, formed the federal government and set the laws of the land. The Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, defines citizens' and states' rights in relation to the government. While the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution share similarities, they are distinct documents with different purposes and historical contexts.

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The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are two separate documents

The Declaration of Independence, finalised and signed in 1776, expressed the ideals on which the United States was founded and asserted its independence from Great Britain. It includes a list of grievances against the King of England and proclaims the right of the colonies to be free and independent states. The Declaration's famous preamble, written by Thomas Jefferson, begins with the words, "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."

On the other hand, the Constitution, written and signed in 1787, formed the federal government of the United States and set the laws of the land. It defines the framework of the government and establishes the rights and responsibilities of citizens and states in relation to the government. The Constitution begins with the words, "We the people of the United States of America," emphasising the idea of a government "of the people, for the people, and by the people."

While there are some similarities between the two documents, such as their shared commitment to certain liberties and freedoms, they also have notable differences. The Declaration of Independence has no amendments, while the Constitution originally had 12. Additionally, only six men signed both documents, despite a common misconception that the same people drafted and signed both.

In conclusion, while the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are often thought of together and are both integral to the founding and philosophy of the United States, they are indeed two distinct documents that played unique roles in shaping the nation's history and government.

The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776

The Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, is often confused with the U.S. Constitution. While both documents are foundational texts of the United States, they were written eleven years apart and serve distinct purposes. The Declaration of Independence, finalised on July 4, 1776, and signed by representatives from the 13 colonies on August 2, 1776, announced the independence of the United States from Great Britain and outlined the ideals on which the new nation was founded. The famous preamble, penned by Thomas Jefferson, asserts that ""all men are created equal" and possess unalienable rights, including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Despite this, neither the Declaration nor the Constitution explicitly addressed or condemned slavery.

The U.S. Constitution, on the other hand, was written during the Constitutional Convention from May 25 to September 17, 1787. It established the federal government and set the laws of the land. The Constitution begins with the words "We the people of the United States of America," reflecting the novel idea of a government "for the people." It is important to note that the Constitution, unlike the Declaration, was amendable, and it originally had 12 amendments. The Bill of Rights, consisting of the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, defines the rights of citizens and states in relation to the federal government.

The two documents are often linked in the minds of Americans due to their shared significance in the nation's history. They represent the liberties and ideals that define the United States, such as freedom and equality. While the Declaration of Independence proclaimed these fundamental freedoms, they only became legally enforceable when they were enumerated in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. This connection was recognised by President Harry S. Truman when he stated that those holding office in the federal government or state governments take an oath to support the Constitution, reflecting the country's philosophy of government.

In summary, while the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are distinct documents with different purposes, they are both integral to the foundation and philosophy of the United States. The Declaration, written in 1776, asserted the nation's independence and outlined its core values, while the Constitution, drafted over a decade later, established the framework of the federal government and guaranteed the rights of its citizens.

The US Constitution was written in 1787

The US Constitution, drafted in 1787, is a four-page document that established the government of the United States. It was signed on September 17, 1787, and is now housed in the National Archives. The Constitution, along with the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, are considered the Charters of Freedom, outlining the rights and freedoms of the American people.

The Constitution was drafted in secret by delegates to the Constitutional Convention during the summer of 1787. The Convention was held in the State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, with the goal of revising the Articles of Confederation. However, it became clear by mid-June that the Convention would not amend the existing Articles but instead draft a new framework of government. The delegates debated and redrafted the articles of the Constitution throughout the summer in closed sessions.

The main points of contention during the Convention included the power allocated to the central government, the number of representatives in Congress for each state, and the method of electing these representatives. The delegates also discussed whether to allow for direct elections by the people. The final vote on the Constitution took place on September 15, 1787, and it was then presented to the convention on September 12.

The Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States. It is a crucial document in the history of the country, outlining the structure and powers of the government, and protecting the rights of its citizens. The Bill of Rights, consisting of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, further defines the rights of citizens and states in relation to the government.

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The Declaration of Independence expresses the ideals on which the US was founded

The Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, is a powerful statement of the principles and ideals on which the United States was founded. It is not a legally binding document but rather an expression of the American mind and the reasons for separation from Great Britain. The Declaration holds that "all men are created equal" and possess certain "unalienable Rights," including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." These rights, it asserts, are endowed by a Creator and cannot be taken away.

Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration, was influenced by various sources, including the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Constitution of Virginia. The Declaration is considered a work of literature and persuasion, and it has inspired people worldwide to fight for freedom and equality. Abraham Lincoln, for example, described it as "a rebuke and a stumbling-block to tyranny and oppression."

The Declaration of Independence is one of the Charters of Freedom, along with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. These documents are considered instrumental to the founding and philosophy of the United States and are housed in the ornate Rotunda designed by architect John Russell Pope. The Rotunda features murals depicting the "presentations" of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, further emphasising their significance in American democracy.

The Declaration's influence extended beyond the borders of the United States, particularly during the French Revolution. Lafayette, working with Thomas Jefferson, prepared key drafts of the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which borrowed language from the American Declaration. The Declaration also influenced Russian thinkers and played a role in the Decembrist revolt.

In the 19th century, the Declaration of Independence took on additional significance for the abolitionist movement. Abolitionist leaders interpreted the Declaration as a theological and political document, using its principles to argue for the destruction of the existing government and the creation of a new state dedicated to freedom and equality. Thus, the Declaration of Independence continues to inspire and shape political and social movements, both within the United States and internationally.

The US Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government of the US

The US Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights are considered the founding documents of the United States. They are known collectively as the Charters of Freedom. The Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and the reasons for its separation from Great Britain. It includes a list of grievances against the King of England and asserts the independence and sovereignty of the 13 colonies.

The US Constitution, on the other hand, defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States. It was written during the Constitutional Convention from May 25 to September 17, 1787, and was signed on September 17, now celebrated as Constitution Day. The Constitution originally had 12 amendments, and it set the laws of the land. It begins with the words, "We the people of the United States of America," indicating that the government is of, for, and by the people, a novel concept at the time.

The Bill of Rights, consisting of the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, defines the rights of citizens and states in relation to the Federal Government. While the Declaration of Independence alluded to the fundamental freedoms of Americans, it was the Constitution and the subsequent Bill of Rights that made these liberties legally enforceable.

It is important to note that the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are often conflated and considered fused together in the minds of Americans due to their interconnected nature and their representation of American ideals of liberty and equality. However, they are distinct documents, each serving a unique purpose in the foundation and philosophy of the United States.

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