Simone Lawson
The Declaration of Independence, formally titled The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, was written in 1776 and is the founding document of the United States. It expresses the ideals on which the country was founded and the reasons for separation from Great Britain. The Constitution of the United States of America, on the other hand, was written in 1787 and ratified in 1789. It defines the framework of the federal government and, along with the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, forms the Charters of Freedom, which establish the United States' guiding principles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date Written | Declaration of Independence: July 4, 1776 |
| Constitution: September 17, 1787 | |
| Date Adopted | Declaration of Independence: July 4, 1776 |
| Constitution: After 9 of 13 states ratified it | |
| Writers | Declaration of Independence: Committee of Five including John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston |
| Constitution: James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington | |
| Purpose | Declaration of Independence: To explain why the Thirteen Colonies regarded themselves as independent sovereign states no longer subject to British colonial rule |
| Constitution: To revise the ineffective Articles of Confederation and create a new system of government |
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What You'll Learn
The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776
The Declaration of Independence is considered one of the most circulated, reprinted, and influential documents in history. It is not a legally binding document, but it is powerful and philosophical, expressing the ideals on which the United States was founded. The second sentence, beginning with "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal...", is considered one of the most significant lines ever written.
The Declaration of Independence was written before the Constitution, which was ratified over a decade later. The Constitution was drafted in 1787, and ratified in the same year when three-quarters of the states approved it. The Constitution was deliberately written in the present tense to make it a "living document". It defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States and outlines the rights of citizens and states in relation to the government.
The Declaration, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are known collectively as the Charters of Freedom, which form the guiding principles of the United States.
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The US Constitution was written in 1787
The Constitution, written over a decade later, was an attempt to revise the ineffective Articles of Confederation, which had no enforcement powers and couldn't regulate commerce or print money. The Constitutional Convention assembled in Philadelphia in May 1787, with delegates from twelve states (Rhode Island did not send a representative). George Washington, chosen for his leadership skills, presided over the meetings. For four months, the delegates debated, argued, and compromised in secrecy, ultimately creating a powerful central government.
On September 17, 1787, 38 delegates signed the Constitution, with George Reed signing on behalf of the absent John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total to 39 signatures. The Constitutional Convention ended on the same day, with a new system of government envisioned for the American people. The Constitution defined the framework of the Federal Government of the United States and, along with the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, formed the bedrock of the American Charters of Freedom.
The process of ratifying the Constitution was challenging. The Federalists, who supported a strong central government, had to convince at least three states to ratify. The Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution due to its creation of a powerful central government, reminiscent of the one they had overthrown. Eventually, the Constitution was ratified by nine of the thirteen states, becoming the law of the land.
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The Declaration of Independence is a founding document of the US
The Declaration of Independence, formally titled "The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America", is a foundational text of the United States. It was adopted on July 4, 1776, by the 56 delegates to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, who became known as the Founding Fathers. The Declaration explains why the Thirteen Colonies regarded themselves as independent sovereign states no longer subject to British colonial rule.
The Declaration's second sentence is considered one of the most significant and famous lines in world history: "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 sentence encapsulates the principles on which the US government and identity are based.
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights form the Charters of Freedom, enshrined in the Rotunda of the National Archives. Abraham Lincoln referred to these documents as American scripture, invoking the idea of "American civil religion". Lincoln also believed that the concept of equality, expressed in the Declaration, was a fundamental founding principle of the nation, influencing his interpretation of the Constitution.
The Declaration of Independence was written before the Constitution of the United States of America. The Constitution was ratified more than a decade after the Declaration, and it defines the framework of the Federal Government. The Constitution was written in the present tense to make it a "living document", and it is one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions globally.
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The US Constitution is a living document
The Declaration of Independence, formally titled "The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America", was signed on July 4, 1776, by 56 delegates to the Second Continental Congress. It is considered the founding document of the United States, expressing the ideals on which the nation was founded and explaining the reasons for separation from Great Britain. The Declaration's famous preamble, which includes the phrase "all men are created equal", has been influential in shaping American identity and guiding principles.
Following the Revolutionary War, the young American nation faced challenges due to disputes among the states, weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation, and the lack of a strong central government. This led to the convening of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in May 1787, with the aim of revising the Articles of Confederation. The delegates, representing diverse interests and views, debated and compromised to create a new system of government. On September 17, 1787, 38 delegates signed the Constitution, establishing a powerful central government and defining the framework for the Federal Government of the United States.
The Constitution was deliberately written in the present tense to make it a "living document". This means that it is flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances and interpretations over time. The US Constitution has indeed evolved through amendments and judicial interpretations, ensuring its relevance and applicability in a dynamic societal context.
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are both considered foundational documents for the United States, with the Constitution building upon the principles established in the Declaration. While the Declaration is not legally binding, it provides a moral and philosophical foundation for the nation, influencing the interpretation of the Constitution. The Constitution, on the other hand, outlines the structure and powers of the federal government, and together with the Bill of Rights, defines the rights and freedoms of citizens and states in relation to the government.
In conclusion, the US Constitution is indeed a living document, intended to be adaptable and flexible to meet the changing needs and interpretations of a dynamic society. It was written in the present tense and has evolved through amendments and judicial interpretations to ensure its continued relevance and applicability. The Constitution builds upon the foundational principles of the Declaration of Independence, shaping the framework of the American nation and its guiding principles.
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The US Constitution was ratified in 1789
In the years following the Revolutionary War, it became apparent that the young nation needed a stronger central government. The Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution, gave the Confederation Congress rule-making and funding powers but lacked enforcement powers and the ability to regulate commerce or print money. This led to disputes between the states over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade, threatening the unity of the country.
To address these issues, a Constitutional Convention was convened in Philadelphia in May 1787. Delegates from twelve states assembled to revise the Articles of Confederation and create a new system of government. After four months of debates and compromises, the delegates signed the new Constitution on September 17, 1787. The document was then sent to the states for ratification, with each state holding its own Ratification Convention.
The campaign for ratification faced opposition from Anti-Federalists, who argued that the Constitution created a powerful central government reminiscent of the one they had just overthrown. The Federalists, on the other hand, believed in the necessity of a strong central government to face the nation's challenges. The Federalist Papers, written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, played a crucial role in securing ratification in key states. Eventually, the Constitution was ratified by the required three-quarters of the states, and in 1789, it became the law of the land.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Declaration of Independence was written before the Constitution. The Declaration of Independence was formally adopted on July 4, 1776, while the Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787.
The Declaration of Independence is a founding document of the United States. It expresses the ideals on which the country was founded and explains why the Thirteen Colonies regarded themselves as independent sovereign states no longer subject to British colonial rule.
The Constitution of the United States defines the framework of the Federal Government of the country. It was written to replace the Articles of Confederation, which lacked enforcement powers and could not regulate commerce or print money.
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, along with the Bill of Rights, form the bedrock of the American Charters of Freedom. They are considered instrumental to the founding and philosophy of the United States and have secured the rights of the American people for centuries.
