A Comparison of the Founding Documents for the United States of America

The U.S Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are very different in their objectives and personal appeal. Since it was established the U.S. Constitution has been the foundation for the U.S. Government. The U.S. Constitution has been designated the supreme law of the country. The Declaration

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.

In comparing Thomas Jefferson’s Letter to the Danbury Baptists, The Declaration of Independence, and U.S. Constitution, it is evident that the basis of all three documents is the idea that all human beings possess God-given fundamental rights and that government is created to protect those rights. The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, is the first of the three documents penned. This is important because it defined the rights of liberty and equality of all American citizens as outlined in John Locke’s natural law thesis (Martin, page 113). In addition to providing an itemized account of the grievances colonist’s held against King George III of England, it served to justify the colonist’s quest for independence and separation from British rule. The Declaration of Independence conveyed to the crown that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, which among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." The Founders’ of the New World understood that their pursuit of liberties and autonomy specified in the Declaration of Independence could not come to fruition without instituting decrees. In 1787, the U.S. Constitution, was written to replace the Articles of Confederation with a better defined series of stringent laws that would legally uphold the freedoms and privileges established in the Declaration of Independence. The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights in

The Declaration of Independence occurred in Philadelphia on June 7, 1776. Richard Henry Lee introduced a motion in Congress to declare Independence. Other members of Congress were amenable but thought some colonies not quite ready. Congress did form a committee to draft a declaration of independence an assigned this duty to Thomas Jefferson. The main purpose of the America’s Declaration of Independence was to explain to foreign nations why the colonies had chosen to separate themselves from Great Britain. The Revolutionary War had already begun, and several major battles had already takes place. The American colonies had already cut most major ties to England. What was the motivation for writing the Declaration of Independence? The Declaration of Independence is a list of complaints against the King of England. Some historians believe the Declaration of Independence was written for selfish reasons while others believe that it was written for ideological reasons. America was destined to play this role. My position statement on the historical question is the motivation for writing the Declaration of Independence was for the people not for selfish reasons.

After years of being subjected to Britain’s constant demands and constricting rules, America decided to pursue the future government and society they desired. They sent a letter to King John III, this letter contained a list of offenses the king had committed, and it also rallied up the colonists to fight for their freedom. This letter, called the Declaration of Independence, was ratified on July 4th, 1776. With the help of five colonists Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence to voice the people’s concerns. This letter ended up impacting how the government developed. The American government was significantly influenced by the Declaration of Independence, which established freedom and more rights for the people, and equality

This leads to the Declaration of Independence which was adopted July 4, 1776. This document was meant as a self-esteem boost for the new Americans; giving them inalienable rights. “The most important statement in the declaration is the human rights, where the life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are extolled” (Gaynor). “He [Thomas Jefferson] wrote: "... it was intended to be an expression of the American mind" (Early America). Jefferson meant that the American people wanted freedom from high taxes and the big government in England.

The Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Thomas Jefferson’s Letter to the Danbury Baptists in 1802 are similar yet different in multiple ways. The three documents were descriptively and precisely written. Each one play distinctive rolls in the foundation of our government and country. They all contribute a vital part to the freedom one has in the United States. Each were written at different times. The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, when the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia were meeting, and was established by the Second Continental Congress. The U.S. Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787 in the same place that the Declaration of Independence was written and signed, during the Philadelphia Convention. Thomas Jefferson’s letter to the Danbury Baptists was written on January 1, 1802, which answered a letter from the Baptists to him.

The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are two significant documents that transformed the history of the United States. The people of the “New World” went from being ruled by British law and living in the thirteen colonies, to becoming an independent nation with a democratic government. The Declaration was written to ensure that all official ties with its mother country, Great Britain, were suspended indefinitely. It then went on to describe the concepts and ideologies behind a just and fair government. The Constitution, however, outlined how the newly democratic government would operate. In 1776, after the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, a verdict was made that the only constructive way to ensure independence as a nation would be to declare independence from King George III, Parliament, and Great Britain. The colonists sought to fashion a clear, detailed document, known as the Declaration of Independence, which stated why the people chose to move in this direction as well as providing several arguments to support their case. This world-renown document is a symbol of the unity between the 13 colonies during their fight for independence during the American Revolutionary War.

The Declaration of Independence was a statement written and approved by members of the Second Continental Congress in Pennsylvania on July 4, 1776. The Declaration was the colonies announcing that they were officially separated from Great Britain and were independent sovereign states. The Declaration can also be seen as a declaration of war, because they are basically saying that they are breaking off from England and if England wants them back they will have to take them back. The Declaration of Independence influenced the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights by introducing the principles and ideals behind their fair and equitable government.

No documents have had a greater influence on the citizens of our country than the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. The Declaration of Independence marked the birth of our republic and set forth our “unalienable rights” to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Later, the Constitution outlined our style of government and defined the rights that are protected from intrusion by government.

After outlining that, the document begins to outline the basic civil liberties and rights that the average citizen receives. These are called the amendments. They are the foundation on what the freedom of America is built with. The amendments spell out the freedoms that Americans had, everything from the right of religious freedoms to the right to bear arms both of which are regularly debated subjects today. They made America what America was, the freest country in the world

The US Constitution, The Declaration of Independence as well as the Letter to the Danbury Baptist are not just historical documents, but some of if not the most important documents of the history of our nation. Although, similar in many facets the intentions and the goal pursued by each highlight their individuality. The fact that the Declaration of Independence was the first to be implemented and signed is of significant importance as it set the pace and put in motion the proceeding documents that followed. Ultimately, my goal is to not only show their comparisons or where they may contrast, but to highlight what makes these documents profound and therefore still relative and valid even today.

The Declaration of Independence declared independence from the British Empire. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence June of 1776. By declaring independence the United States could now accept French assistance in the war against Great Britain. The writing of the Declaration of Independence was important

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.

The United States Constitution, The Declaration of Independence, and Thomas Jefferson’s Letter to the Danbury Baptists in 1802, are all important documents in our nation’s history and religion. These historical documents were the biggest influence in our country and they continue to shape our powerful nation. In comparing these documents, I will decipher the differences between what the signers of the Declaration of Independence and what the U.S. Constitution thought about the separation of the church and state.