Isabella Carter
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America are foundational documents that laid the groundwork for the birth of the country. The Declaration of Independence, finalised on July 4, 1776, asserted the independence of the United States from Great Britain and listed grievances against the King of England. The Constitution, on the other hand, was written during the Constitutional Convention from May 25 to September 17, 1787, and established the federal government and the laws of the land. The Declaration came first, followed by the Constitution, which was designed to address the weaknesses of the initial Articles of Confederation and create a stronger central government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Declaration of Independence | 1776 |
| Date of Constitution | 1787 |
| Purpose | Declaration: Justify breaking away from a government; Constitution: Establish a government |
| Amendments | Declaration: None; Constitution: 27 |
| Number of Copies | Declaration: 200-225; Constitution: 11 |
| Signatories | Declaration: Thomas Jefferson; Constitution: George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and others |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The US Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America form the foundation of the American Charters of Freedom, which also includes the Bill of Rights. These documents are considered sacred in American history, with Abraham Lincoln referring to them as American scripture. The Declaration, in particular, holds a special place in the hearts of Americans, as it embodies the ideals of freedom and independence that the nation was built upon.
While the Declaration of Independence established the United States as a separate nation, the Constitution formed the federal government and set the laws of the land. The Constitution was written during the Constitutional Convention from May 25 to September 17, 1787, over a decade after the Declaration. The Constitution has been amended 27 times, with the first ten amendments known as the Bill of Rights. It is a "living document", deliberately written in the present tense to ensure its relevance and adaptability to changing times.
The process of drafting the Constitution involved delegates from twelve states assembling in Philadelphia to revise the ineffective Articles of Confederation. George Washington, known for his leadership skills, was chosen to preside over the meetings. The delegates debated, argued, and compromised for four months, resulting in a new system of government with three separate branches: executive, legislative, and judiciary. The Constitution also divided power between the state and federal governments, addressing the concerns of a powerful central authority infringing on individual liberties.
In conclusion, the US Declaration of Independence came before the Constitution, serving as the initial step in the nation's founding. The Declaration expressed the colonies' desire for freedom and sovereignty, while the Constitution established the framework for the US government and outlined the laws that would govern the newly independent nation. Both documents are integral to the history and identity of the United States, shaping its political and social landscape.
The US Constitution: Its Historical First Drafting
You may want to see also
The US Constitution
The Constitution, on the other hand, was drafted during the Constitutional Convention, which took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787. The delegates from twelve states (Rhode Island did not send a representative) met in Philadelphia to revise the ineffective Articles of Confederation, which had created a weak central government. For four months, they debated and negotiated in secrecy, ultimately creating a federal republic with three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judiciary. James Madison, known as the "Father of the Constitution," played a crucial role in this process.
The Constitution was designed to establish a government and set the laws of the land. It was a living document, deliberately written in the present tense to ensure its relevance over time. It has been amended multiple times, with the first ten amendments known as the Bill of Rights. The Constitution also addressed issues of representation, with the "Three-Fifths Compromise" allowing each slave to count as three-fifths of a person when determining representation in Congress and taxation.
The signing of the Constitution took place on September 17, 1787, marking Constitution Day. The document was then printed in newspapers across the country, with the first newspaper printings appearing on September 19, including a list of all the signers. The Constitution's ratification process took around ten months, with New Hampshire becoming the ninth state to ratify in late June 1788, and Rhode Island joining as the 13th state in May 1790.
The Constitution's Original Intent: What Did It Mean?
You may want to see also
The US Bill of Rights
The US Declaration of Independence came before the US Constitution, with Congress voting to accept it on July 4, 1776, marking the day as Independence Day. The Constitution of the United States was adopted on September 17, 1787.
The US Constitution was then amended by the Bill of Rights, which was added because the Constitution lacked limits on government power. Federalists advocated for a strong national government, while Anti-Federalists wanted power to remain with state and local governments and favoured a bill of rights to safeguard individual liberty.
The Bill of Rights is one of the three founding documents of the United States, along with the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. It was written by James Madison and proposed by the First Congress of the United States on September 25, 1789, as 12 amendments to the Constitution. Ten of these proposed amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the "Bill of Rights".
The Bill of Rights defines citizens' and states' rights in relation to the government, guaranteeing greater protection for individual freedoms and listing specific limits on government power. For example, the First Amendment protects the freedom of speech and worship, and prevents Congress from making laws establishing a religion. The Second Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms, and the Third Amendment prevents the government from forcing homeowners to allow soldiers to use their homes. The Fourth Amendment bars the government from unreasonable search and seizure of an individual or their private property, and the Fifth Amendment provides several protections for people accused of crimes, including the right to a fair trial and the right against self-incrimination.
The Constitutional Congress: First Steps Towards Democracy
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The US Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation established a weak confederal government, affording it only those powers the former colonies recognised as belonging to the British Crown and Parliament during the colonial era. It established the functions of the national government of the United States after it declared independence from Great Britain. The central government's power was kept limited, and it mostly, but not entirely, prevented the individual states from conducting their own foreign diplomacy. The Articles outlined a Congress with representation not based on population—each state would have one vote in Congress.
The Articles of Confederation also created a loose confederation between the new "states". Ratification by all 13 states was necessary to set the Confederation into motion. Virginia was the first state to ratify, on December 16, 1777, and other states ratified throughout 1778. New Jersey and Delaware eventually agreed to the conditions of the Articles, with New Jersey ratifying on November 20, 1778, and Delaware on February 1, 1779. This left Maryland as the last remaining holdout, and it was only in 1780, when British forces began to conduct raids on Maryland communities in the Chesapeake Bay, that the state finally ratified the Articles.
The Articles of Confederation were replaced by the present-day US Constitution, which came into effect in 1789. The Confederation Congress endorsed a convention "for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation". However, delegates held secret, closed-door sessions and wrote a new constitution, which gave much more power to the central government. The new frame of government aimed to get close to a republic as defined by Enlightenment philosophers, while addressing the difficulties of interstate relationships.
The First Constitution: 13 Colonies, One United Nation
You may want to see also
The US Charters of Freedom
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America are two of the most important documents in the country's history, forming the foundation of the American Charters of Freedom. The Charters of Freedom also include the Bill of Rights, which is enshrined alongside the Declaration and the Constitution in the Rotunda of the National Archives.
The Declaration of Independence, finalised on July 4, 1776, and signed by representatives from all 13 colonies on August 2, 1776, proclaims the independence of the United States of America from Great Britain. It includes a list of grievances against the King of England and asserts the right of the colonies to govern themselves as free and independent states. The Declaration was drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, who went on to become the third President of the United States.
The Constitution, on the other hand, was written during the Constitutional Convention from May 25 to September 17, 1787, and established the federal government and the laws of the land. It created a federal republic with three separate branches: executive, legislative, and judiciary, and divided power between the state and federal governments. James Madison, known as the "Father of the Constitution," played a crucial role in its creation and ratification. The Constitution has been amended multiple times, including the addition of the Bill of Rights, to protect the rights and liberties of individuals.
While the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution have different purposes, they are both integral to the establishment of the United States and its guiding principles. The Declaration marked the birth of the nation, while the Constitution provided the framework for its government and legal system. Together, they embody the ideals of freedom, independence, and self-governance that have shaped the country's identity and continue to influence its political and social landscape.
Murder in the First Degree: Understanding the Legal Definition
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Declaration of Independence states that the United States of America is a country independent of England, with a list of grievances against the English king. The Constitution, on the other hand, formed the federal government and set the laws of the land.
The Declaration of Independence came first, in 1776, and the U.S. Constitution was written later, from May 25 to September 17, 1787.
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights form the foundation of the American Charters of Freedom. These documents are enshrined in the Rotunda of the National Archives.
Thomas Jefferson was the principal drafter of the Declaration of Independence, and James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay played a crucial role in securing the Constitution's ratification. Benjamin Franklin was one of the few Americans to sign both documents.
