The United States Constitution and The Declaration of Independence are two of America’s most famous documents that laid the foundation for it’s independence as a nation and separation from British rule. The following paper will compare these two documents and decipher the difference of the two.
While both Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution contain important information regarding America’s independence they are also different in many respects. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of is Independence one of the nation’s most cherished symbols of liberty and Thomas Jefferson’s most enduring monument. “Each colony sent delegates to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1774 to form the First Continental Congress. Although the colonies were not prepared to declare war on Britain, they were very unhappy under British rule. They began to debate whether it was possible to gain independence from Britain without going to war and, if so, how they would go about it. Unfortunately, King George III learned of the civil unrest in the colonies and sent additional troops to protect his property and quell rebellions. Since England was not willing to negotiate, war was inevitable” (History of Independence Day)
In exalted, unforgiving and unforgettable phrases, the Declaration of Independence expresses the convictions under the British rule in the minds and hearts of the American people. The Declaration of Independence is a powerful document that contains signatures from representatives from the 13 colonies. It also contains verbiage that accuses the then present King of Great Britain [George III] of disregarding laws, abusing his power as king and having a blatant disregard for the best interest of the people living in the colonies. The Declaration of Independence refers to the then current state of conditions under British rule of then King George III as being one of oppression.
The Essay on Declaration Of Independence Colonists Colonies Web
... to separate from British rule. (1 Fisher) The declaration of independence is the historic document that the American Colonies declared their freedom ... parties and fireworks. All because of the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence is a big part of our ... history. org / declaration ) This was important because it united the colonies. It abolished the allegiance to King George III, ...
The United States Constitution was formed several years after the Declaration of Independence and serves as the base expectation that the United States will operate under. The Constitution of the United States is the cornerstone of our American government and this document describes the structure of the government and the rights of the American people. No law may be passed that contradicts its principles and no person or the government, is exempt from following it. This is why it is commonly called the supreme law of the land. The purpose of the government is found in the Preamble and for the government to be successful; the Founding Fathers established three main principles on which our Government is based:
1.Inherent rights — rights that anyone living in America has
2.Self government — government by the people
3.Separation of powers — branches with different powers
The United States Constitution is known as a living document because it can be amended. The Constitution is a document strong enough for safety and at the same time it is flexible enough to allow for freedom. The Constitution is organized into three parts:
1.Preamble – describes the purpose of the document and government
2.Articles – establish how the government is structured and how the Constitution can be changed. There are seven articles.
3.Amendments – changes to the Constitution; the first ten are called the Bill of Rights
Conclusion
In conclusion, while these documents compliment and certainly enhance each other, there are distinct differences in these two very historic documents. Both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution helped in forming the government policies, procedures, rules and laws that this country has established, but they convey different messages. “The United States Constitution reveals the basic laws and rights that are offered to each American citizen. The Constitution of the United States comprises the primary law of the U.S. Federal Government. It also describes the three chief branches of the Federal Government and their jurisdictions. In addition, it lays out the basic rights of citizens of the United States” (Library of Congress)
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Explain and evaluate both the limits placed on Commonwealth power under the Constitution and the extension of that power through international law and elements of the Constitution. In the year 2001, The Australian nation will celebrate the reaching of a significant milestone one hundred years of government under our present constitution. As the anniversary approaches, it is important for all ...
The Declaration of Independence revealed that the 13 colonies were being treated unjust under British rule thus calling for a change to become independent. The Declaration of Independence helped the United States become independent and paved the way for it’s separation from the British rule. Thus leading the way for the of the United States Constitution.
Reference List
History of Independence Day. Retrieved October 15, 2003 from the World Wide Web at http://www.birthdayexpress.com/bexpress/planning/IndependenceDay.asp
Library of Congress. Retrieved October 15, 2003 from the World Wide Web at
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/constitution/index.html
