This paper presents an analysis and comparison of two historical document – the American Declaration of Independence (1776) and the Constitution of the United States (1786). These foundational document of the United States embody the philosophy of a new nation and depict the evolving attitudes across the nation to the present.
In either document, the authors establish their political philosophies together with the purposes of the American people in this course, outline the frontier and parameters which would govern the American political life. Both documents underscore the concept f individual rights and freedoms to inform one’s narrative. In the Declaration of Independence, the notion of “life,” “liberty,” along with “the pursuit of happiness” are given much weight (Schechter et al 54). The authors of the document argue that an individual can only make sense of happiness when their life is without any imposed external obstacles on him/her. The same ideology is reflected in the Constitution of the United States which makes reference to the idea of positive and negative liberty. The ability to pursue happiness both at personal and political levels are key principle that define the meaning of each historical documents.
The two historical documents also compare well in the issues they address. The Declaration is primarily a list of accusations by the colonists directed at King George III of England (Cullop 138). The Constitution builds on this through its initial amendments meant to forbid future rulers from perpetrating such abuses on the American people in future. For instance, as relates to the charge of the King taking autonomous decisions, and his denial to the right to trial by jury, the Constitution establishes the rights of all citizens to a “speedy and trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed” (Schechter et al 127) This was in response to the King’s practice of shipping colonists overseas for trial of “pretended” offences.
On the other hand, further analysis and comparison of the Declaration and the Constitution of the United States reveal staunch contrasts both in the intents and interests of the two documents. The Declaration comes out as a passionate outcry of much abuse and emancipation for the colonists. However, the Constitution eliminates such revolutionary presence and goes on to establish a Bourgeois liberal government for the new republic. The Declaration’s tone is raw emotion inspired by a series of events leading to the alienation, displeasure, and desperation to cut links with the colonial Great Britain (Cullop 139). On the contrary, the Constitution focuses on putting into place a new form of government with substantial power in contrast with the desires of the early republicans.
Therefore, the two historical documents are differentiated by their clamor for Hamiltonian Federalism (Declaration) and Jeffersonian Republicanism (the Constitution). The Declaration’s underlying political philosophy favors a revolutionary on government – emphasis on the rights of individual citizens together with the detachment from governmental bodies that are potentially repressive or tyrannical – respecting notions of “freedom” and “democracy” (Cullop 142) The Constitution, on the other hand, carries a contemporary notion of Federalism – strict adherence to organized and structured government subject to balance and checks as outlined by the Constitution.
In conclusion, analysis and comparison of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America shows that the two foundational historical documents have much similarities and differences. The contrasting elements of both documents reflect the varying beliefs and beliefs among Americans that evolved from the American Revolution to the Independence of the United States in 1776. While the Constitution document has since been adopted as the official “law of the land” to present day, the Declaration remains one of the most famous and respected foundational documents of the United States.
References:
Schechter, Stephen L, Richard B. Bernstein, and Donald S. Lutz. Roots of the Republic: American Founding Documents Interpreted. Madison: Madison House, 1990.
Cullop, Floyd G. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America. New York: Signet Classics, 2009.
