Isabella Carter
The phrase We the People is present in both the United States Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, two of the country's most important founding documents. The Declaration of Independence, dated July 4, 1776, is a statement of the principles on which the US government and American identity are based. The Constitution, on the other hand, acts as a merger, uniting diverse states under a single national government. While the Declaration of Independence is not legally binding, it asserts that the American colonies are free and independent states, no longer under British rule. The Constitution, established by We the People, aims to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, and secure the blessings of liberty for Americans and their descendants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Declaration of Independence | 4th July 1776 |
| Declaration of Independence | A powerful statement of principles for the US government and identity |
| Declaration of Independence | Not legally binding |
| Declaration of Independence | Promises certain liberties and inherent rights |
| Constitution | Legally enforceable document |
| Constitution | Empowered the central government |
| Constitution | Included a Bill of Rights to protect against the president and Congress |
| Constitution | Adopted in 1787 |
| Constitution | Begins with the words "We the People of the United States" |
| Constitution | Aimed to form a more perfect union and establish justice |
| Constitution | Designed to secure the blessings of liberty |
| Constitution | Provides for the common defence |
| Constitution | Promotes general welfare |
| Constitution | Promises equal protection under the law |
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What You'll Learn
The Preamble to the Declaration of Independence
The Preamble begins with the famous 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." This statement asserts the inherent equality of all people and recognises their natural rights, including the right to life, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness.
The Declaration continues by acknowledging the need for governments to be formed to protect these rights. It recognises the importance of consent of the governed and the role of governments in securing the rights and well-being of their citizens.
The Preamble also expresses the belief that when a government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it and establish a new one. This idea reflects the sentiment that governments derive their power from the people and are accountable to them.
The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776, and it proclaimed that "all men are created equal". This proclamation had a significant influence on the US Constitution, which was adopted 11 years later in 1787. The Constitution begins with the famous phrase "We the People of the United States", reflecting the idea that the government is established by and for the people.
In summary, the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence articulates the fundamental values and beliefs that underpin the American nation. It affirms the equality and natural rights of all individuals, the role of government in securing these rights, and the sovereignty of the people in establishing a government that upholds their freedoms and ensures their welfare.
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The Bill of Rights
The phrase "We the People" is from the preamble of the US Constitution, which was adopted in 1787, 11 years after the Declaration of Independence. The Constitution was designed to empower the central government to preserve the blessings of liberty for "We the People of the United States".
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are often thought of as fused together, as they represent the values of liberty and equality that are fundamental to American identity. The Declaration of Independence, with its famous assertion that "all men are created equal", forms the basis for the liberties later enumerated in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
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The right to worship
The phrase "We the People" is from the United States Constitution, not the Declaration of Independence. The Constitution, adopted in 1787, begins with the preamble: "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
Now, regarding the right to worship as outlined in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence:
The Declaration of Independence, adopted in 1776, proclaims that "all men are created equal" and endowed by their "Creator" with certain "unalienable Rights," among which are "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." This declaration sets the foundation for religious freedom by acknowledging the role of a higher power in bestowing natural rights upon individuals.
The Constitution, adopted eleven years later, further enshrines the right to worship in the First Amendment, which states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." This amendment guarantees the freedom of religion by prohibiting the government from establishing an official religion or hindering individuals from practising their faith. It ensures that citizens have the right to worship according to their beliefs without interference or restriction from the state.
The First Amendment also addresses the issue of religious tests for public office, stating in Article VI that there shall be no religious test as a qualification for holding public office. This provision ensures that individuals of any religious belief or non-belief are eligible to serve in government positions.
Additionally, the right to worship has been extended and clarified through court interpretations. In Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971), the Court created a three-part test to determine the constitutionality of laws dealing with religious establishment, ensuring that government does not become excessively entangled with religion. The Equal Access Act of 1984 further protected students' religious rights, preventing public schools from discriminating based on religious speech.
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The right to liberty
The phrase "We the People" is not from the Declaration of Independence, but from the US Constitution. The Constitution was designed to empower the central government to preserve the blessings of liberty for "We the People of the United States".
The Declaration of Independence, on the other hand, made certain promises about which liberties were fundamental and inherent, but these liberties didn't become legally enforceable until they were enumerated in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The Declaration of Independence states 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 is echoed in Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous address at the Lincoln Memorial, where he stated that the architects of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence were "signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir". This note promised that all men, "black men as well as white men", would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness".
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The right to abolish government
The phrase "We the People" appears in the preamble of the US Constitution, which was adopted in 1787, 11 years after the Declaration of Independence. The Constitution begins with the words:
> We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
The Declaration of Independence, on the other hand, asserts the right of the people to "alter or abolish" any government that becomes destructive of its ends, which are securing the people's unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This idea of the right to overthrow a government has a long history, stretching back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. It has been associated with the philosophy of classical liberalism, emphasising individual rights and limited government.
The Declaration of Independence states:
> 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. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
The right to abolish the government is derived from the natural right to self-governance. This notion is relatively new, as in 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was written, the world was largely ruled by royalty or warrior chieftains. The Declaration's assertion that the people have the power to form a new government at any time and in any shape that meets their needs is a radical concept. It justifies radical action, such as the replacement of the Articles of Confederation with the US Constitution in 1787.
While the right to abolish the government is established in the Declaration of Independence, it is important to note that the United States has not had to exercise this right since its founding. This is because the country has been able to continuously alter its government through amendments, laws, and political movements.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, 'We the People' is in the Declaration of Independence. The document proclaims that the 13 united colonies are free and independent states, separate from the British Crown.
Yes, 'We the People' is in the Preamble of the Constitution. It establishes the purpose of the Constitution, which is to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote general welfare, and secure liberty.
The Declaration of Independence is a statement of principles that outlines the reasons for the colonies' separation from Great Britain and their right to govern themselves. On the other hand, the Constitution is a legal document that establishes the structure and powers of the federal government and guarantees certain rights to the people.
The Declaration of Independence came first, being adopted on July 4, 1776. The Constitution was adopted on September 17, 1787, over ten years later.
