Isabella Carter
The United States Constitution is the oldest federal constitution in use today. It has served as the basis for the US government for over two centuries and has only been seriously endangered once, during the Civil War. The Constitution was drafted by a convention of delegates from different states, meeting in Philadelphia in 1787, with George Washington presiding. The Constitution defines the framework of the US Federal Government and has been a source of inspiration for other countries, many of which have adopted its principles. The Declaration of Independence, which preceded the Constitution, expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and outlines the reasons for separation from Great Britain. It asserts that all men are created equal and have certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Bill of Rights, comprising the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, further defines the rights of citizens and states in relation to the government.
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What You'll Learn
The right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
The phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" is a well-known phrase from the United States Declaration of Independence. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson and adopted on July 4, 1776, the Declaration proclaims the independence of the thirteen united States of America from the British Crown.
The phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" gives three examples of the unalienable rights that the Declaration says have been given to all humans by their Creator, which governments are created to protect. These rights are considered sacred, undeniable, and self-evident. The inclusion of "the pursuit of happiness" in this trio of rights is unusual, as the typical third right is "property". However, Jefferson's use of "happiness" instead of "property" does not mean that he did not consider property a goal of government. Rather, it reflects the belief that the pursuit of happiness encompasses more than just the acquisition of property and includes intellectual and moral pursuits.
The concept of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" is not legally binding, but it has been widely referenced and seen as an inspiration for the basis of government. It has influenced other documents, such as the Canadian Charter of Rights, the Japanese Constitution, and the South Korean Constitution. The phrase also appears in George Mason's Virginia Declaration of Rights, which was adopted unanimously by the Virginia Convention of Delegates on June 12, 1776, and speaks of happiness in the context of Lockean rights.
The achievement of independence and the establishment of a new government based on the principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence, including the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, marked a significant shift in the political landscape of the United States. It empowered the people to dissolve political connections and establish a new nation based on these fundamental rights.
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Freedom from political connection to Great Britain
The Declaration of Independence expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and the reasons for its separation from Great Britain. The document outlines the desire of the newly independent states to be free from political connection to Great Britain and to dissolve the political bands that had previously united them.
The Declaration of Independence states that the united colonies are "Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown" and that "all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved". This marked a significant shift in the relationship between the two nations, as the colonies asserted their sovereignty and independence.
The dissolution of political connections with Great Britain also meant that the independent states now had the power to levy war, conclude peace, form alliances, and establish their own commerce. They were no longer subject to the jurisdiction or interference of Great Britain in their legislative and trade matters. This freedom allowed the independent states to forge their own path and establish their own identity as a nation.
Furthermore, the Declaration of Independence put forth the belief that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This principle, central to the American identity, was a direct response to the perceived tyranny and despotism of the British Crown. The independent constitution, therefore, enshrined the rights and freedoms of its citizens, ensuring they were no longer subject to the rule of a monarch or power that did not have their best interests at heart.
The United States Constitution, which followed the Declaration of Independence, further defined the framework of the Federal Government and the rights of citizens and states in relation to that government. The Constitution has served as the basis of the US government for centuries and has only been seriously endangered once during the Civil War. It is a testament to the strength and resilience of the independent constitution that it has endured and provided a stable framework for the nation's governance.
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Power to levy war, conclude peace, and contract alliances
The Declaration of Independence states that the 13 united States of America are "Free and Independent States" that are "Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown". As such, the new Independent States have the power to "levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do".
This means that the Independent States have the power to declare and wage war, and to make peace, without being subjected to the jurisdiction of the British Crown. They can also form alliances and conduct other foreign affairs independently.
The ability to levy war, conclude peace, and contract alliances was an important objective for the framers of the Constitution. They aimed to improve the United States' ability to ensure its peace and security through military protection. The Constitution allocates broad control over national security to the federal government, while denying most war powers to the states.
The Constitution limits the power of states to engage in war independently, stating that no state shall, "enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation" or "engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay". Treason is also defined as levying war against the United States.
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The Federal Government's framework is defined
The Constitution of the United States defines the framework of the Federal Government. It is the oldest federal constitution in existence, serving as the basis of the US government for over two centuries. The Constitution was the result of a convention of delegates from the different states, held in Philadelphia in 1787, with George Washington presiding.
The Constitution outlines the powers and responsibilities of the federal government, as well as the rights and freedoms of citizens. It establishes a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one branch of government becomes too powerful. The document also reserves certain powers for the states, or the people, that are not delegated to the federal government.
The Constitution is comprised of the original document, as well as a Bill of Rights, which is made up of the first ten amendments. The Bill of Rights defines the rights of citizens and states in relation to the federal government. These rights include freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, as well as the right to keep and bear arms.
The Constitution has been amended several times throughout history to address issues such as slavery and citizenship. For instance, an amendment proposed by Congress in 1865 and ratified by several states in the same year, stated that "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime... shall exist within the United States".
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.
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Citizens' and states' rights are defined
The US Constitution is the oldest federal constitution in use today. It was established in 1787 and has served as the basis for the US government for over two centuries. The Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States.
The first three words of the Constitution, "We the People," remind us that the Constitution belongs to the people and lays out everyone's rights and responsibilities. The Constitution is meant to secure the blessings of liberty for " ourselves and our posterity."
The Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States. The Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution, outlines the rights of citizens and states in relation to the government. For example, the Bill of Rights states that "all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are known collectively as the Charters of Freedom. These documents have secured the rights of the American people for over two centuries and are considered fundamental to the founding and philosophy of the United States. The Declaration of Independence expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and outlines the reasons for its separation from Great Britain. It 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."
The Constitution and the Bill of Rights work together to define the rights and responsibilities of citizens and states in relation to the federal government, ensuring that the government serves the people and protects their freedoms.
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Frequently asked questions
The Declaration of Independence is a statement that expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and outlines the reasons for its separation from Great Britain.
The Declaration of Independence states that "all men are created equal" and are endowed with certain "unalienable rights", including "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness".
The Declaration of Independence, along with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, secured the rights of the American people and became the foundation of the United States government and its philosophy.
The US Constitution is the oldest federal constitution still in use, serving as the framework for the US federal government.
The US Constitution outlines the powers of the federal government, including the power to levy war, conclude peace, and establish commerce. It also includes the Bill of Rights, which defines the rights of citizens and states in relation to the government, such as the right to life and liberty.
