The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United StatesTogether in one book, the two most important documents in United States history form the enduring legacy of America’s Founding Fathers including Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton. The Declaration of Independence was the promise of a representative government; the Constitution was the fulfillment of that promise. On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress issued a unanimous declaration: the thirteen North American colonies would be the thirteen United States of America, free and independent of Great Britain. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration set forth the terms of a new form of government with the following words: "We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." Framed in 1787 and in effect since March 1789, the Constitution of the United States of America fulfilled the promise of the Declaration by establishing a republican form of government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, became part of the Constitution on December 15, 1791. Among the rights guaranteed by these amendments are freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and the right to trial by jury. Written so that it could be adapted to endure for years to come, the Constitution has been amended only seventeen times since 1791 and has lasted longer than any other written form of government. |
Contents
1 | |
NOTES TO THE INTRODUCTION | 47 |
THE AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF | 77 |
DATES TO REMEMBER | 91 |
Other editions - View all
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States United States No preview available - 1998 |
The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States No preview available - 1998 |
Common terms and phrases
abridged Amendment was ratified American Scripture appointed appropriate legislation article by appropriate Articles of Confederation assemble authority Bill of Attainder Bill of Rights Charles Dickens chuse citizens clause Colonies Congress's power 1,8 Continental Congress convention created equal D. H. Lawrence Declaration of Independence Declaration of Rights delegates draft Declaration enforce this article ernment executive federal Bill founding documents Fourteenth Amendment Franklin free and independent Fyodor Dostoevsky George House of Representatives Impeachment James Madison Jane Austen Jersey Plan judicial June jurisdiction jury Legislature liberty Madison Papers Maier Massachusetts ment Militia Number of Votes office of President political power to enforce powers and duties President and Vice proposed ratified February representation Republican revised Revolution Rutland Second Continental Congress Section Senators and Representatives slaves Supreme Court thereof Thomas Hardy Thomas Jefferson tion treaties Trial unalienable rights United vacancies Vice President violated Virginia Plan whole number written declaration