Eleanor Finch
The United States Constitution and Declaration of Independence are two of the most important documents in the history of the nation. The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson, was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, marking the colonies' independence from Great Britain. The US Constitution, on the other hand, was written and signed by a group of 38 delegates, including James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington, in 1787, years after the Revolutionary War. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, becoming the supreme law of the United States of America.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Thomas Jefferson |
| Role | Author of the Declaration of Independence; member of the Committee of Five |
| Inspiration | The Virginia Declaration of Rights, state and local calls for independence, and his own draft of a Virginia constitution |
| Date | Drafted between June 11 and 28, 1776 |
| Other contributors | John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R Livingston, and Roger Sherman |
| Date of adoption | July 4, 1776 |
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What You'll Learn
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence
Jefferson's ideas and smooth, eloquent language contributed to his selection as the draftsman of the Declaration of Independence. He drafted the statement between June 11 and 28, submitting drafts to Adams and Franklin, who made some changes. The draft was then presented to Congress following the July 2 adoption of the independence section of the Lee Resolution. The congressional revision process took all of July 3 and most of July 4. Finally, in the afternoon of July 4, 1776, the Declaration was adopted.
The Declaration of Independence, formally "The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America," is the founding document of the United States. It explains why the Thirteen Colonies regarded themselves as independent sovereign states no longer subject to British colonial rule. It has become one of the most circulated, reprinted, and influential documents in history.
The Virginia Declaration of Rights, written by George Mason, strongly influenced Jefferson in writing the first part of the Declaration of Independence. It later provided the foundation for the Bill of Rights.
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John Adams wrote the preamble
John Adams played a significant role in drafting the Declaration of Independence, which became the founding document of the United States. On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, unanimously adopted the Declaration, marking a pivotal moment in American history.
The Declaration of Independence was crafted by a committee of five, including John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman. This committee was tasked with authoring a statement of independence for the thirteen colonies, asserting their sovereignty and independence from British rule.
Among this distinguished group, Thomas Jefferson is often regarded as the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson's eloquent language and profound ideas contributed to his selection as the draftsman. He produced a draft document, drawing on essential sources such as the Virginia Declaration of Rights, state and local calls for independence, and his own draft of a Virginia constitution.
However, it is important to recognize that John Adams, as a member of the committee, provided valuable input and contributions to the drafting process. He reviewed and offered revisions to Jefferson's drafts, collaborating closely with Jefferson and Franklin. This collaborative effort resulted in a document that proclaimed the principles of freedom, equality, and the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all Americans.
While the specific details of each committee member's contributions may vary, John Adams' role as a founding father and his influence on the preamble of the Declaration of Independence cannot be understated. His involvement in shaping this foundational document underscores his significant impact on the course of American history and the establishment of the United States as a sovereign nation.
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The Constitution separates the federal government into three branches
The United States Constitution divides the federal government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. This separation of powers ensures that no individual or group has too much control.
The legislative branch, also known as Congress, is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. It is responsible for creating laws and is elected by United States citizens who are 18 years or older. The executive branch is led by the President, who enforces the laws made by the legislative branch. The President is the Commander in Chief of the United States armed forces and is supported by the Vice President, who becomes the President if the President is unable to serve. The judicial branch, which includes the Supreme Court and other federal courts, is responsible for interpreting laws according to the Constitution.
The Constitution, which outlines this structure, was written by the Founding Fathers, a group of delegates who convened in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. They drafted the Declaration of Independence, which was formally known as "The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America." This document explained why the Thirteen Colonies regarded themselves as independent sovereign states, no longer under British rule. The Founding Fathers included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman.
The Declaration of Independence has had a significant influence on American history and culture. It has been described as a powerful statement of American political principles, influencing leaders of the French Revolution and the abolitionist movement in the 19th century. It has also been interpreted as a moral guide to interpreting the Constitution, with Abraham Lincoln playing a significant role in shaping this view.
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The Constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation, which served as the first constitution of the United States, was adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777. It established a "league of friendship" for the 13 sovereign and independent states, with each state retaining "every Power... which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States".
The Articles of Confederation outlined a Congress with representation not based on population – each state held one vote in Congress. It also did not have executive or judicial branches, and the legislative body was a single body appointed by the state legislatures. Additionally, the Articles granted the central government no power to tax, and it had limitations on its ability to assemble delegates and regulate commerce.
The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation became apparent in the late 1780s, as the central government was unable to address internal rebellions, regulate commerce, or effectively support a war effort. The government also lacked the power to settle disputes between states and had a depleted treasury due to its inability to tax.
In May 1787, the Constitutional Convention assembled in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. The delegates quickly agreed that the defects in the government could not be remedied by altering the Articles, and so they authored a new constitution. This new constitution superseded the Articles of Confederation and established three branches of government: the executive, legislative, and judicial. The Constitution also gave the federal government more power over money and taxes, allowing it to control interstate commerce and grant the power to tax individuals.
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The Constitution is difficult to amend
The United States Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are two of the most important documents in the history of the nation. The Founding Fathers, who drafted the Declaration of Independence, adopted it unanimously on July 4, 1776, declaring the 13 colonies' independence from British rule. Thomas Jefferson was heavily involved in writing the Declaration of Independence, with inspiration from George Mason's draft of the Virginia Declaration of Rights.
The Constitution, on the other hand, was drafted in 1787 and has been amended only 27 times since, despite approximately 11,848 measures being proposed to amend it from 1789 through January 3, 2019. The last ratified amendment was the 27th Amendment in 1992. The Constitution was written "to endure for ages to come", as Chief Justice John Marshall wrote in the early 1800s. The framers of the Constitution made it difficult to amend, and this has been evident in recent times with supporters of congressional term limits and a balanced budget amendment failing to get the amendments they desired.
The process of amending the Constitution is complex and time-consuming. A proposed amendment must be passed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and then ratified by 38 out of 50 state legislatures or state conventions. This high threshold ensures that any changes to the Constitution have a broad consensus across the country and are not just narrowly passed.
The difficulty in amending the Constitution has led to concerns about its rigidity and outdated provisions in areas such as elections, federalism, and rights. In the last half-century, democratic reformers have proposed thousands of amendments to make the Constitution more equal, inclusive, and just, but these efforts have largely failed.
While some argue that the Constitution should be easier to amend to reflect modern values, others defend its enduring nature, believing that it should be challenging to alter such a foundational document.
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Frequently asked questions
Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, during the American Revolutionary War. The document was then edited by John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, among others, before being adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
The Constitution was written and signed by 38 delegates, including George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison, in 1787, years after the Revolutionary War. It was ratified in 1788.
The Declaration of Independence was written to formally explain and announce the colonies' independence from Great Britain. The Constitution, on the other hand, is the supreme law of the United States, outlining the framework of the federal government and delineating the separation of powers into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial.
![[The Constitution of the United States, with Index, and the Declaration of Independence] [Author: x] [January, 2005]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41MglqqSTKL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
