Eleanor Finch
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are two of the most important documents in the history of the United States. The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson, with edits by John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, was formally adopted on July 4, 1776, and explained why the Thirteen Colonies regarded themselves as independent sovereign states no longer subject to British colonial rule. The Constitution, on the other hand, was drafted and signed by 38 delegates in 1787, years after the Revolutionary War, and ratified in 1788. It superseded the Articles of Confederation and became the supreme law of the land, delineating the framework of the federal government and its separation of powers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Declaration of Independence | July 4, 1776 |
| Declaration of Independence Author | Thomas Jefferson |
| Committee Members | John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston |
| Influencing Documents | Virginia Declaration of Rights, Draft of the Preamble of the Constitution of Virginia |
| Influencing Figures | George Mason, Thomas Ludwell Lee |
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What You'll Learn
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson is credited with authoring the Declaration of Independence. In 1776, the Continental Congress appointed him to a five-person committee for drafting a declaration of independence. The committee included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. The committee assigned Jefferson the task of producing a draft document for its consideration.
Jefferson's draft drew on documents such as the Virginia Declaration of Rights, state and local calls for independence, and his own draft preamble of the Constitution of Virginia. The Virginia Declaration of Rights, drafted by George Mason and Thomas Ludwell Lee, was unanimously adopted in June 1776. It heavily influenced Jefferson's work, with commonalities in language and principle evident in both documents.
Jefferson's draft was a powerful statement of the colonists' right to rebel against the British government. It asserted the premise that all men are created equal and possess inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Through revisions by the committee and Congress, Jefferson retained a prominent role in crafting the Declaration.
At the time, the Declaration was considered a collective effort, and Jefferson was not acknowledged as its primary author until the 1790s. Jefferson himself did not publicly embrace his status as the "scribe of independence" until the final year of his life. This was not due to false modesty, but rather a reflection of the 18th-century values of "sublimation of self" and political "disinterestedness."
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John Adams wrote the preamble
John Adams was a key figure in the American Revolution, playing a pivotal role in achieving both separation from Great Britain and the establishment of a nation based on self-government. Adams was instrumental in drafting the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, which laid the foundation for the United States' democratic government.
While Thomas Jefferson is often credited as the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, it was a collaborative effort. A committee consisting of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston drafted and edited the document. Jefferson himself acknowledged that the Declaration contained no original ideas but was a reflection of the sentiments shared by supporters of the American Revolution.
John Adams' contributions to the Constitution are also significant. He strongly advocated for the adoption of written constitutions to ensure stable and democratic governments in the newly independent states. Adams' model of government, which included three separate branches—an executive, a bicameral legislature, and an independent judiciary—was highly influential in shaping the United States Constitution.
The Massachusetts Constitution, drafted by Adams and ratified in 1780, served as a model for the US Constitution. The Massachusetts Constitution contains a preamble, a declaration of rights, and a frame of government. Adams prioritised individual rights, ensuring that the Declaration of Rights preceded the Frame of Government. This structure was replicated in the US Constitution, with its Preamble, Bill of Rights, and Frame of Government.
Adams' political writings, including his correspondence with Jefferson, Benjamin Rush, and other founding fathers, further emphasised his support for religious liberty, republicanism, and First Amendment principles. His ideas and advocacy for a written constitution with a strong framework of individual rights had a lasting impact on the development of the US government and its foundational documents.
In summary, John Adams played a crucial role in drafting both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. His ideas and influence extended beyond these documents, shaping the principles and structures of the American government and contributing to the creation of a nation based on self-government and individual freedoms.
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The Constitution was written by a group of delegates
The United States Constitution was written by a group of delegates, known as the Founding Fathers, at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. The delegates included George Washington, who would go on to become the first President of the United States, James Madison, who is often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution", and Alexander Hamilton. These men, along with the other delegates, worked to create a framework for the United States government and the rights of its citizens.
The Constitution was the result of a lengthy and collaborative effort, with the Founding Fathers drawing on their diverse experiences and perspectives to shape the document. The convention was held in Philadelphia, and the delegates met for months, debating and drafting the various articles and amendments that would shape the future of the nation.
While the Constitution was written by a group of delegates, it's important to note that Thomas Jefferson, who played a significant role in drafting the Declaration of Independence, also influenced the Constitution. Jefferson's ideas and writings, such as his draft of the preamble of the Constitution of Virginia and his own draft of a Virginia Constitution, had a lasting impact on the principles and values enshrined in the Constitution.
The process of writing the Constitution was a complex and meticulous endeavour. The delegates debated and discussed various topics, including the structure of the government, the balance of powers between the states and the federal government, and the protection of individual liberties. The final document, signed on September 17, 1787, established a federal republic with a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one branch of government would become too powerful.
The Constitution has since been amended numerous times, but the foundational principles laid out by the delegates remain a cornerstone of American democracy and governance. The collaborative effort of these men, each bringing their unique perspectives and ideas, helped shape the course of the nation's history and continue to influence the political landscape of the United States today.
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James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington helped craft the Constitution
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington played pivotal roles in crafting the United States Constitution. The Constitution was written in 1787, just four years after the Treaty of Paris ended the American Revolution. The economic and political unrest that followed the war, coupled with the weak national government established by the Articles of Confederation, served as catalysts for the creation of a new constitution.
James Madison, a member of the Continental Congress during and after the American Revolutionary War, was a key figure in this process. Dissatisfied with the weak national government, Madison helped organize the Constitutional Convention, with his Virginia Plan serving as the basis for the convention's deliberations. He also played a crucial role in convincing his fellow congressmen to remain neutral in the ratification debate, allowing each state to vote on the Constitution. Madison's work extended beyond the Convention; he collaborated with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay to write "The Federalist Papers," a series of pro-ratification essays that remain influential in American political science.
Alexander Hamilton was instrumental in driving the Constitution through the New York convention with his focused logic and political savvy. He formed a strategic alliance with Madison, agreeing to support the assumption of state debts in exchange for President Washington's administration backing the move of the capital to the Potomac River. Hamilton also authored over 50 essays as part of "The Federalist," contributing to the effort to sway public opinion toward ratification.
General George Washington, a prominent figure in the American Revolution, also lent his support to the creation of the Constitution. He was a signatory to the assent, along with Benjamin Franklin, agreeing to the abrogation of the Articles and the creation of a new constitution. Washington's partnership with Madison was crucial in unlocking the door to the federal convention. Madison's respect for Washington was evident in their correspondence, as Madison sought Washington's input on the outlines of the new system.
The collaboration and leadership of James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington were vital in shaping the United States Constitution. Their efforts navigated the country through the political and economic challenges of the time, solidifying the foundation for the nation's future governance.
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The Constitution was ratified by 9 of 13 states
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 38 of the 41 delegates present. It was then submitted to the Confederation Congress, which was sitting in New York City, the nation's temporary capital. The document was originally intended to revise the Articles of Confederation, but it ended up introducing a completely new form of government.
The Confederation Congress could have rejected the proposal, but they voted to forward it to the 13 states for their ratification. This ignored the amendment provision of the Articles of Confederation, which required unanimous approval of all the states. Instead, the new Constitution required ratification by just nine of the 13 states, or a two-thirds majority.
The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. Some states opposed the Constitution on the grounds that it did not provide protection for rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. However, the terms of the Massachusetts Compromise, reached in February 1788, stipulated that amendments would be proposed to address these concerns—this became the Bill of Rights.
On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, and it became the official framework of the US government. The remaining four states to ratify the document were Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, and Rhode Island, which finally approved the Constitution on May 29, 1790. The Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791.
The Declaration of Independence, on the other hand, was drafted by a committee made up of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. Jefferson wrote the first draft, and it was then edited by the others before being edited again by the entire Congress. Jefferson himself admitted that the Declaration contained no original ideas but was instead a statement of sentiments widely shared by supporters of the American Revolution.
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Frequently asked questions
Thomas Jefferson wrote the original draft of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. He was part of a committee that included John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, who also helped edit the document.
The Committee of Five, which included Jefferson, Adams, and Franklin, presented the document to Congress on June 28, 1776. Congress then made changes to Jefferson's draft before adopting it on July 4, 1776.
James Madison is often credited as the primary author of the US Constitution, which was ratified in 1787. Others involved in the process include Alexander Hamilton, John Dickinson, and George Washington, who was elected president of the Philadelphia convention.
The Articles of Confederation was America's first framework of national government, crafted during the American Revolution. It was superseded by the US Constitution in 1789.
The Constitution separates the powers of the federal government into three branches: the legislative (Congress), the executive (the President), and the judicial (the Supreme Court).
