The Declaration of Independence, which officially broke all political ties between the American colonies and Great Britain, set forth the ideas and principles behind a just and fair government, and the Constitution outlined how this government would function.

Is the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence the same document?

Though connected in spirit, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are separate, distinct documents. The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776. It was a list of grievances against the king of England intended to justify separation from British rule.

What is the Declaration of Independence in simple terms?

The document announced the separation of 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain. It was the last of a series of steps that led the colonies to final separation from Great Britain. At the time that the American Revolution began in April 1775 most colonists were not seeking independence.

What does the Constitution do?

The Constitution defines the fundamental law of the U.S. federal government, setting forth the three principal branches of the federal government and outlining their jurisdictions. It has become the landmark legal document of the Western world, and is the oldest written national constitution currently in effect.

How are the Declaration of Independence and Constitution similar?

In their basic forms, both documents establish mandates for representative governance. The Constitution and Declaration announce a system of government in which policies and practices should be judged against the normative public mandate to protect human dignity and the common good of constitutional society.

Who wrote the Constitution?

James Madison

James Madison is known as the Father of the Constitution because of his pivotal role in the document’s drafting as well as its ratification. Madison also drafted the first 10 amendments — the Bill of Rights.

What does the Constitution say?

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of

What is the main purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

Its goals were to rally the troops, win foreign allies, and to announce the creation of a new country. The introductory sentence states the Declaration’s main purpose, to explain the colonists’ right to revolution.
 

What is the Declaration of Independence and why?

By issuing the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the 13 American colonies severed their political connections to Great Britain. The Declaration summarized the colonists’ motivations for seeking independence.

What was the Declaration of Independence and why was it important?

The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in the history of the United States. It marked an official step taken by the American colonies toward independence from British rule under the monarchy of King George III.

What is Constitution in simple words?

A constitution is the rule book for a state. It sets out the fundamental principles by which the state is governed. It describes the main institutions of the state, and defines the relationship between these institutions (for example, between the executive, legislature and judiciary).

What are the 3 main purpose of the Constitution?

First it creates a national government consisting of a legislative, an executive, and a judicial branch, with a system of checks and balances among the three branches. Second, it divides power between the federal government and the states. And third, it protects various individual liberties of American citizens.

Why is the Constitution so important?

Why is a constitution important? A constitution is important because it ensures that those who make decisions on behalf of the public fairly represent public opinion. It also sets out the ways in which those who exercise power may be held accountable to the people they serve.

What is the Declaration of Independence explained to kids?

The Declaration of Independence is the founding document of the United States. It was approved by Congress on July 4, 1776, and it tells the people that they are free from British rule. It tells why Congress voted unanimously to end allegiance to Great Britain on July 2nd.

What are the 5 points of the Declaration of Independence?

The Declaration of Independence is made up of five distinct parts: the introduction; the preamble; the body, which can be divided into two sections; and a conclusion. The introduction states that this document will “declare” the “causes” that have made it necessary for the American colonies to leave the British Empire.
 

What are the 3 main ideas of the Declaration of Independence?

The Declaration of Independence included these three major ideas:

• People have certain Inalienable Rights including Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness.
• All Men are created equal.
• Individuals have a civic duty to defend these rights for themselves and others.