Malcolm Rivera
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States are two of the most important documents in American history, but which is more significant? The Declaration of Independence, with its famous assertion that all men are created equal, expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and its desire to separate from Great Britain. In contrast, the Constitution forms the federal government and sets the laws of the land. While the Declaration of Independence is not legally binding, it has inspired people worldwide to fight for freedom and equality. On the other hand, the Constitution is a living document that can be amended, and it was this document that established the United States as a single nation with a clear system of government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of signatures | The Declaration of Independence has 56 signatures, while the Constitution has 39. |
| Legally binding | The Declaration of Independence is not legally binding, unlike other founding documents. The Constitution is legally binding. |
| Amendments | The Declaration of Independence has no amendments, while the Constitution had 12. |
| Purpose | The Declaration of Independence states the principles on which the US government and identity are based and expresses the ideals on which the US was founded, including a list of grievances against the King of England. The Constitution defines the framework of the US Federal Government and sets the laws of the land. |
| Influence | The Declaration of Independence was influenced by Locke's philosophy of the "social contract" and the Virginia Declaration of Rights. The Constitution was influenced by James Madison. |
| Location | The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are both located in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom in the National Archives in Washington, D.C. |
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What You'll Learn
The Declaration of Independence is not legally binding
The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution are both foundational documents in American history. However, while the Constitution is legally binding, the Declaration of Independence is not.
The Declaration of Independence is a statement of the principles on which the US government and identity are based. It expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and lists grievances against the King of England, justifying the separation from Great Britain. In contrast, the US Constitution forms the federal government and sets the laws of the land. It defines the framework of the US federal government and outlines citizens' and states' rights in relation to the government.
The US Constitution, on the other hand, is legally binding and forms the basis of the US government and legal system. It has been amended several times to reflect changes in American society and values. The Constitution was written in the present tense deliberately to make it a "living document." This flexibility allows it to adapt to the changing needs and values of American society.
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are both important documents in American history, each with its own unique role and significance. While the Declaration of Independence lays out the fundamental principles and values of the nation, the Constitution establishes the legal and governmental framework that gives effect to those principles.
In conclusion, while the Declaration of Independence is a significant and influential document in American history, it is not legally binding. Its power lies in its expression of the ideals and principles that form the basis of the American nation. The US Constitution, on the other hand, is the legally binding document that sets out the laws and framework of the US government.
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The Constitution formed the federal government
The Constitution of the United States is the foundation of the federal government and is considered the supreme law of the land. It defines the framework of the federal government and sets out its purpose, structure, and powers. The Constitution is composed of three parts: the Preamble, the seven Articles, and the Amendments.
The Preamble describes the purpose of the document and the Federal Government, which is to "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." The seven Articles establish how the government is structured and how the Constitution can be changed. The third part, the Amendments, lists changes to the Constitution, with the first 10 being called the Bill of Rights, which defines citizens' and states' rights in relation to the government.
The Constitution was drafted with the aim of creating a government with enough power to act on a national level, but without so much power that fundamental rights would be at risk. This was achieved by separating the power of government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial, with checks and balances in place to ensure no one branch gained supremacy.
The Constitution also establishes extradition between the states and lays down the legal basis for freedom of movement and travel between them. It gives Congress the power to make rules for disposing of federal property and governing non-state territories. Additionally, it requires the United States to guarantee each state a republican form of government and protect them from invasion and violence.
The Constitution is a "living" document that can be amended, and while there were originally 12 amendments, there have been 27 amendments made over 200 years. The process for amending the Constitution is outlined in Article V, which also shields certain clauses from being amended.
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The Declaration of Independence has no amendments
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are two important documents in American history, but they serve different purposes. The Declaration of Independence, issued by Congress in 1776, states that the United States of America is a country independent of England and lists grievances against the English king. On the other hand, the Constitution formed the federal government and set the laws of the land.
The Declaration of Independence is a founding document of the United States, expressing the ideals on which the nation was founded and outlining the reasons for its separation from Great Britain. It includes the famous line, "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 is considered one of the most significant in world history, emphasizing the natural rights and equality of all people.
The Declaration of Independence has not been amended, unlike the Constitution, which originally had 12 amendments. The reason for this lack of amendments lies in the nature and purpose of the Declaration. The Declaration of Independence is a statement of principles and ideals, declaring the colonies' independence and sovereignty, and outlining the reasons for breaking away from British rule. It was a momentous act, seen as treasonous by England, and those who signed it put themselves at great risk.
The Declaration's purpose was to establish the fundamental principles and values of the new nation, and it was not intended to be a governing document that would be regularly changed or updated. It serves as a statement of the country's core beliefs and the reasons for its existence, rather than a set of laws or guidelines that need to be adapted over time. The Declaration's lack of amendments underscores the enduring nature and influence of the document and the permanence of the values it espouses.
While the Declaration of Independence has not been amended, it has had a profound and lasting impact on the United States and the world. It has influenced human rights globally and shaped the country's identity and philosophy. The Declaration's principles, particularly the idea that "all men are created equal," have been a source of inspiration and a benchmark against which the nation's progress has been measured. Despite its lack of legal amendments, the Declaration's ideals have continued to evolve and guide the nation's journey toward a more perfect union.
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The Constitution has 39 signatures
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are both important documents that laid the foundation for the birth of America. The Declaration of Independence expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and the reasons for its separation from Great Britain. It states that the United States of America is a country independent of England and includes a list of grievances against the King of England. On the other hand, the Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States and sets the laws of the land. It is worth noting that neither document condemned nor attempted to halt the business of slavery.
The process of drafting and signing the Constitution was a remarkable achievement in human history. The delegates made decisions and compromises on serious issues, including how to elect a president, how to ensure fair representation in Congress, and how slaves would factor into the population. This was accomplished in just over 100 days. While some delegates were disappointed by the numerous compromises in the final document, Benjamin Franklin summed up the sentiments of those who did sign, acknowledging his own disapproval of certain parts but accepting the Constitution as the best option available.
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The Declaration of Independence expresses the ideals on which the US was founded
The Declaration of Independence is one of the most influential documents in history, expressing the ideals on which the US was founded. It states that the United States is a country independent of England, with a list of grievances against the English king. The Declaration also outlines the reasons for the separation from Great Britain, including the principles of liberty and equality on which the US government and identity are based.
The document was formally known as "The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America" when it was first printed. It was unanimously adopted on July 4, 1776, by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, marking a pivotal moment in the birth of America. The Declaration explains why the Thirteen Colonies regarded themselves as independent sovereign states, no longer under British colonial rule.
The Declaration of Independence is considered a founding document of the United States, expressing the sentiments widely shared by supporters of the American Revolution. It includes the famous statement that “all men are created equal," endowed with certain "unalienable Rights," such as "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." This statement, however, did not condemn slavery, as both Jefferson and many of the Founding Fathers were slave owners.
The Declaration of Independence is not legally binding, but it holds significant symbolic and historical value. It has been interpreted as a moral guide, influencing the interpretation of the US Constitution, which was ratified over a decade later. The Constitution, on the other hand, forms the federal government and sets the laws of the land, defining the framework of the US government and the rights of citizens and states.
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Frequently asked questions
The Declaration of Independence states the principles on which the US government and identity are based, and expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded. It also includes a list of grievances against the King of England.
The Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States and sets the laws of the land.
No, the Declaration of Independence is not legally binding and has no amendments. However, the Constitution originally had 12 amendments.
Both documents are important in their own right and form the bedrock of the American Charters of Freedom. While the Declaration of Independence expresses the ideals and principles on which the US was founded, the Constitution provides the framework for the federal government and sets the laws of the land.
