Omar Bennett
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are considered the three most important documents in American history. The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776, and the Constitution was written in 1787. The former expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and the reasons for separation from Great Britain, while the latter defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States. The Bill of Rights, which was proposed in 1789, enumerates citizens' and states' rights in relation to the government. While the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were drafted by a congress and a convention that met in the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, only six men signed both documents. So, was the Constitution written to replace the Declaration of Independence?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date Written | The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776, while the Constitution was written in 1787 |
| Purpose | The Declaration of Independence expresses the reasons for the separation of the 13 colonies from Great Britain and their independence. The Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States. |
| Authors | The Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson, while the Constitution was primarily written by James Madison |
| Signatories | 56 delegates signed the Declaration of Independence, while only six men signed both the Declaration and the Constitution |
| Location | The Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia, while the Constitution was written and signed in Philadelphia (now Independence Hall) and later ratified in several states |
| Related Documents | The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are considered the Charters of Freedom, which establish the guiding principles of the United States |
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What You'll Learn
The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776
The Declaration of Independence, formally titled "The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America", was written in 1776. It was drafted by a congress that met in the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, which is now known as Independence Hall. The Declaration was finalised on July 4, 1776, and was unanimously adopted by the 56 delegates to the Second Continental Congress. These delegates became known as the Founding Fathers of the United States.
The Declaration of Independence was written during a time when the Thirteen Colonies and the Kingdom of Great Britain had been at war for over a year. The relationship between the colonies and Great Britain had been deteriorating since 1763, with disputes over taxation and the interpretation of the British Constitution. As the Continental Congress contemplated independence in 1776, many colonies were issuing their own declarations of independence and bills of rights, dissolving their charters with England.
The Declaration of Independence is a document that expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and explains why the Thirteen Colonies regarded themselves as independent sovereign states no longer subject to British colonial rule. It has three main parts: a preamble, a list of grievances against the King of Great Britain, and a declaration of independence from Britain. The famous preamble, largely ignored at the time, states that "all men are created equal" and have "certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness".
The Declaration of Independence, along with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, form the Charters of Freedom, which are considered instrumental to the founding and philosophy of the United States. The Constitution, written in 1787, defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States and was designed to make it a "living document". The Bill of Rights, proposed in 1789, enumerates the rights of citizens and states in relation to the government.
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The US Constitution was written in 1787
By 1783, when the war ended, there was uncertainty about whether the thirteen states were a collective that made one sovereign nation or thirteen independent nations. This uncertainty, along with problems and disagreements between the new states, led to the recognition that a new system of government was needed to clarify what the "United States" meant.
On May 25, 1787, delegates from twelve states assembled in Philadelphia to revise the ineffective Articles of Confederation. George Washington was chosen to preside over the meetings due to his leadership skills. For four months, the delegates debated, argued, and compromised in secrecy. The Constitutional Convention ended on September 17, 1787, with a new system of government envisioned for the American people.
The US Constitution begins with the words "We the people of the United States of America," indicating that the Constitution is "of the people, for the people, and by the people of the United States." This concept of a government "for the people" was novel at the time. The Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States and, along with the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, forms the bedrock of the American Charters of Freedom.
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The Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government
The Constitution of the United States was not written to replace the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, expressed the ideals on which the United States was founded and outlined the reasons for separation from Great Britain.
The Constitution, on the other hand, defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States. It is the nation's fundamental law, outlining the division and sharing of power between the national and state governments. This concept, known as federalism, seeks to establish a unified national government with limited powers while preserving a sphere of autonomy for state governments to exercise their authority. The Constitution is also a document that codifies the core values of the people, with courts bearing the responsibility of interpreting its meaning and ensuring that any laws passed by Congress align with its principles.
The Constitution is based on the principle that Congress may act only if there is express or implied authority within the document, whereas states are free to act unless the Constitution expressly prohibits their actions. This is exemplified in the Tenth Amendment, which states that powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution are reserved for the states or the people. The federal courts, as explained by Alexander Hamilton in The Federalist #78, serve as an "intermediate body" between the people and their legislature, ensuring that representatives act within the authority granted by the Constitution.
The Constitution, along with the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, are considered the three most important documents in American history. They are collectively known as the Charters of Freedom, securing the rights of Americans and forming the philosophical foundation of the United States. 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 and Constitution were drafted by a congress
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are considered the three most important documents in American history. They are known collectively as the Charters of Freedom, and they represent the liberties and equality that are best about America.
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were drafted by a congress and a convention that met in the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia (now known as Independence Hall) in 1776 and 1787, respectively. The Declaration was drafted by the Second Continental Congress, which comprised 56 delegates, who later became known as the Founding Fathers. The principal drafter of the Declaration was Thomas Jefferson, who went on to become the third President of the United States. The Declaration was influenced by Thomas Paine's pamphlet, Common Sense, which argued that ordinary people could govern themselves without a crowned official. The document was finalized on July 4, 1776, and officially signed by representatives from all 13 colonies on August 2, 1776. The Declaration has three parts: a preamble, a list of the sins of the King of Great Britain, and a declaration of independence from Britain and the dissolution of all political connections to the British Crown.
The Constitution, on the other hand, was drafted during the Constitutional Convention from May 25 to September 17, 1787. It was written by James Madison, considered the "Father of the Constitution," who went on to become the fourth President of the United States. The Constitution was only written down once, and it defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States. It begins with the words, "We the people of the United States of America," emphasizing that the government is "of the people, for the people, and by the people."
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The Declaration of Independence was an indictment against the King of Great Britain
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are considered the three most important documents in American history. They are seen as instrumental to the founding and philosophy of the United States. The Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, was designed for multiple audiences: the King, the colonists, and the world. It was also designed to multitask. Its goals were to rally the troops, win foreign allies, and announce the creation of a new country.
The Declaration of Independence was a response to the King's refusal to ratify colonial legislation, his imposition of taxes without colonial consent, and his dissolution of representative houses and assemblies that opposed his invasions of the rights of the people. The King's response to the colonists' complaints was to issue further punishments, such as the "Boston Port Bill", which moved the legislative body from Boston to Salem. The Declaration also denounced the establishment of a Board of Trade, which acted independently of colonial legislation, and the remodelling of admiralty courts to exclude trial by jury.
The Declaration of Independence was, therefore, a direct indictment of the King of Great Britain, listing his repeated injuries and usurpations, all having the direct object of establishing "an absolute Tyranny" over the states. It was also an indictment of the King's appointed governors and officers in the colonies, who drew their salaries from the King and were seen to sympathize with Parliament but not with the colonies.
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Frequently asked questions
The Declaration of Independence is a document that expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and explains why the Thirteen Colonies regarded themselves as independent sovereign states no longer subject to British colonial rule. It was formally titled "The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America".
The Constitution is a document that defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States. It begins with "We the people of the United States of America", indicating that it is "of the people, for the people, and by the people".
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are considered the three most important documents in American history. They are known collectively as the Charters of Freedom and represent what is best about America. The fundamental freedoms of the American people were alluded to in the Declaration of Independence, made implicit in the Constitution, and enumerated in the Bill of Rights.
Thomas Jefferson, who went on to become the third President of the United States, was the principal drafter of the Declaration of Independence. James Madison, considered the "Father of the Constitution", went on to become the fourth President of the United States. Only six men signed both documents.
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