Two of the most important documents in United States history, are the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. The Declaration of Independence was a catalyst that helped to shape America to what it is today: a nation where its core values are still defined, and where life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness still thrive in the American people. The rights that people possess are called natural rights, these were the standards for a human life and were not dependent of any government or a culture. After four years of American triumph in the Revolutionary War, to make another contract for overseeing the stabilization of the country, representatives “established delegates in the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention” (Carey 40). In drafting the Constitution, the greater part of the Founding Fathers trusted that the defenses composed into it would secure the privileges of Americans. When the Constitution was sent to the states in 1787 for confirmation, an incredible thunder of dissatisfaction went up. Different Americans from various states requested that a Bill of Rights be added to the Constitution. Various states approved the Constitution just restrictively. They would favor the Constitution just on the chance that it was changed to incorporate these rights (Carey 40). After reading Krugman’s “The Death of Horatio Alger,” Cox’s and Alm’s “By Our Own Bootstraps,” and Dalmia’s “Long Live the American Dream,” these articles inform the reader and give a
The U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are two very important documents in the founding of our nation. This essay compares how these two documents are linked together, but also how they are clearly different. Though both documents were created near the same time, the Declaration of Independence was actually written first. It was written by Thomas Jefferson and was adopted by congress on July 4, 1776, what we know today as Independence Day. The U.S constitution though, was not adopted until eleven years later in 1787. After these two documents were written, Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to the Danbury Baptists in 1801.
The Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson was made in order to give the colonists a way to break free from the shackles of King George. This document has affected the building blocks of the United States and is one of the most important documents in U.S. history. The Declaration of Independance was the foundation of what this country was based on. However, what Jefferson and the other signers might not have expected is the strech, the firm words, would have across the world. The document made such an impression because it was a new and differnet way of dealing with political issues, and they weren't asking for anyones permission. It was the first document unlike anything in American
The Declaration of Independence was written for the purpose of separating the American colonies from the British Empire. In context of history, The Declaration was the first step into a modern representative democracy. In addition, the makers of the declaration, primarily Thomas Jefferson, constructed an argument to state the problems they had with Britain and tell how the new American government was going to deal with the problems. The argument Jefferson constructed was one made with all the wrong evidence; however, he built the argument in such a way to rally a people for war. The Declaration of Independence is a well-written example of argument and persuasion with its use of structure as a whole, use of specific fallacies, and use of appeals.
The issue the Declaration of Independence being a legal document has been up for debate in courts for many years now. Although, the Declaration of Independence clarifies the United States identity as a free nation, it has generated intense controversy. Some feel strongly that it did not clearly define the new powers that the thirteen colonies would acquire and did not define the identity of the United States; while, others firmly believe that without the Declaration of Independence the United States would not be the free nation that it is today. Therefore, serving as the foundation for many laws and documents composed after it, the Declaration of Independence has been helpful in defining the rights of the American citizens, the powers of
“We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” - The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence, completed and signed in July of 1776, marked the official separation between the 13 colonies and Great Britain. An armed struggle between the colonies and Britain had begun just over a year before, with the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The formal declaration of independence established the new American revolutionary government and officially declared war against Great Britain. The primary purpose of the declaration was to assist the Second Continental Congress in obtaining aid from foreign countries. The document also clearly outlines the history of abuses the colonists had suffered under British rule since the end of the French
When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary that someone must judge another to reassure their own position as a superior being. It is at this time, those that threaten individuality and culture be reminded that they are made of the same matter that nature intended for us as humans, and these oppressors of unique must now swallow it.
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.
When the founding fathers wrote the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, they wrote them with the future in mind. In the newspaper and TV headlines today, many of the topics in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are even more relevant and hotly debated today than back then. But they each have a different purpose and handle many topics differently. This essay will compare the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution in three areas: style, structure, and tone, the topic of religion and government, and the issue of African slavery.
The Declaration of Independence is the most imperative and most seasoned report in the United State History. The Declaration was drafted and marked to report our Declaration Of Independence from Great Britain, by saying, “ The United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. (Thomas Jefferson July 4, 1776)” The settlements have
The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution are two major documents that changed the history of America. These documents changed the United States of America from a colonized nation to an independent nation that has its own government. The Declaration of Independence was written towards Great Britain on July 4, 1776, to show America is now a free state and no longer a colony of Britain (Ferling 222). On the other hand, the United States Constitution was signed in 1878 led to the formation of federal governments, which provided the right for each state to practice its own rule under the US Constitution (Ritchie 11). Without either of these documents, the United States government wouldn’t be as strong as it is today and probably
In the Declaration of Independence (US 1776), Thomas Jefferson introduces a statement accepted by the Second Continental Congress to declare the causes that compel the thirteen colonies to separate themselves from the British Crown and form their own individual states. This revolutionary document is organized into six sections. The Declaration of Independence (US 1776) opens with an introduction, declaring the reasons the American colonies want to leave the British Crown. They also state that their independence is absolutely necessary and unavoidable. The second section includes the preamble which provides the reasons for writing the Declaration of Independence (US 1776). Also included in this section is the colonist’s beliefs about government and John Locke’s theory on natural rights and social contract. In the third section, 29 grievances are listed against England and King George III. These complaints include taxation without representation, forcing the colonists to keep British soldiers in their homes, restricting the colonist’s trade, shutting down colonial legislatures and their attempts to seek redress from the king for their problems. The fourth section is stating the colonist’s efforts to appeal various decisions made by King George III and how their requests were met in vain. The fifth section is a formal declaration stating that the colonies are now “Free and Independent States” (¶ 6). The colonies state they will rule themselves and discontinue their loyalty to
The Declaration of Independence was written to explain, why colonies chose to separate from Great Britain. In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson explains that if the government becomes unfair and controlling, a body of people have the right to change governments. Jefferson organized his argument in a format of writing an essay. He organized his document with an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Americans we are given certain “freedoms” that other countries may not be entitled to. In 1976 the Declaration of Independence was signed and included the Bill of Rights. In 1791, the Bill of Rights was ratified into the constitution. The purpose of this document was to spell out the liberties of the people the government could not infringe upon. In other words, it was written to protect Americans from abuse of power by different areas of their government. Each amendment says what the government is capable of doing or limits its powers by providing certain rules they must abide by. Each of these amendments plays an important role in today’s society. For instance, the fourth amendment is mainly about privacy, and has been implemented to protect against unreasonable searches and seizures by State, or Federal law enforcement authorities (Foner A-31). It states that the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized (Kaci 221). Many Americans assume if there is no warrant then there is no entry. However, this is not always correct. The fourth amendment applies to a search if a person has a “legitimate expectation of privacy” in the place or thing searched.
4,435. It is estimated that roughly 4,435 American deaths occurred in combat during the Revolutionary War (America’s Wars 2013). This figure does not include the thousands that also would have died from disease, malnutrition, etc. This figure, likewise, does not include the deaths from the British. How could these deaths possibly be justified? For a group of colonies that prided themselves in their Christian heritage, this destruction perhaps may seem ironic. After all, the famous words of 1 John 4:16 proclaim that, “God is love” (1 John 4:16 English Standard Version). In light of these words, then, how was the Declaration of Independence in any way a legitimate Christian response? To get to the bottom of this, a few areas will need to be