One of the key differences between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution is the process for making changes to each document. The Declaration is a statement of principles and values that cannot be amended or changed; it stands as a symbol of American ideals and aspirations. US Constitution vs Declaration of Independence The United States Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are kinda like two big deals in American history. They’re both super important, but they have different jobs, ya know? This essay's gonna dive into how they're alike and different, and why they're a big deal in history. Share to Google Classroom Added by 17 Educators The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America form the bedrock of the American Charters of Freedom, a group of documents which also includes the Bill of Rights. All three are enshrined in the Rotunda of the National Archives in an altar-like setting. Abraham Lincoln referred to these documents, particularly The Declaration of Independence is only a statement that proclaims that the 13 colonies were independent states and no longer under British rule. It declares that the United States of America is a free and independent nation. The Constitution is the basis of the U.S. government. The Constitution is termed as the supreme law of the country. The difference between the Declaration of Independence vs. the Constitution is that the U.S. Constitution formed our federal government and set the laws of the land. The Constitution acts as the supreme law that dictates the structure, functions, and limitations of a government. It's the foundation of a country's legal and political system. The Declaration of Independence, however, is a document that asserts the rights and independence of a nation, typically from colonial rule or another form of oppression. What is the difference between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution? The Declaration of Independence declared the freedom of the American colonies from British rule, while the Constitution established a system of government and set the laws of the land. When researching American independence or almost any founding-period subject, the Declaration of Independence is indeed a primary source. The difference between primary sources and The text in the second column is approximately that reported by the committee to Congress, and is taken from Jefferson's rough draft. The text in the third column is from the engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence. These three documents, known collectively as the Charters of Freedom, have secured the rights of the American people for more than two and a quarter centuries and are considered instrumental to the founding and philosophy of the United States. Declaration of Independence Learn More The Declaration of Independence expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and the reasons for 2.The Constitution is the basis of the U.S. government. The Constitution is termed as the supreme law of the country. 3.Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, and it was edited by the Continental Congress. The Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. 4.The Constitution was written in 1787. What is the difference between the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence? Though connected in spirit, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are separate, distinct documents. The Declaration of Independence was written by the young Thomas Jefferson in 1776 when the people of America went to war against the invading armies of Britain. Britain had colonized America under the rule of King George III. It was a revolutionary document written at revolutionary times. This lesson builds student understanding of the relationships between the United States’ founding documents by comparing and contrasting the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Using a close reading guide, students will explore the key concepts in Jefrey Rosen and David Rubenstein’s “Constituting Liberty: From the Declaration to the Bill of Rights The Declaration of Independence is a rather straightforward outcry against British tyranny and the necessity (according to the authors) of an independent union of states, i.e. the United States. The Constitution on the other hand lacks the emotion, the straightforwardness, and overall excitement. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CONSTITUTION AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE? The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776 (during the Revolutionary War) by Thomas Jefferson, edited by John Adams and Benjamin Franklin (among others), and adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, as it voted to declare independence from What is the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution? In the years between 1776 and 1787, most of the 13 states drafted constitutions that contained a declaration of rights within the body of the document or as a separate provision at the beginning, many of them listing the same natural rights that Jefferson had After Independence, the Declaration remained as a statement of America’s natural law ideals. The Constitution was adopted to move American positive law closer to those ideals. The Constitution did this in at least two principal ways: by imposing procedures designed to produce better results. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are two documents that have shaped the United States, but what is the difference between them? Both are important to understanding American history, but they serve different purposes. The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution are two of the most powerful and elegantly written documents in recorded history, both integral to the creation and ultimate success of a fledgling democracy.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |