Im reading the Constitution, A friend of mine gave me a book that explains it & also has it in its entirity. I know this may be a dumb question but is there a difference between the Constittution, The Bill of Rights & The Declaration of Independence? Thanks!
2007-07-30 03:27:19 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Government
The Declaration of Independence has no relationship to the Constitution whatsoever and predates it by about 11 years (roughly). The Declaration of Independence was the document that broke our ties to England and changed the United States from a colony to a free nation. It was signed July 4, 1776. We then operated under the Articles of Confederation for a number of years, but they gave too much freedom to the individual states. The individual states started imposing tariffs on goods that would pass from (for example) Virginia to Mass. and the individual states starting coining their own money. (not an exhaustive list of the problems. Just 2 examples). The states were operating as semi-autonomous nations under the Articles of Confederation and the states soon realized a stronger federal government was needed. In order to pass a Constitution, compromises were necessary. Thomas Jefferson wanted the Bill of Rights in the Constitution, but there were early dissenters to the Bill of Rights, so Jefferson and his allies decided to work on getting an agreement to the Constitution. Essentially, the Constitution sets up the framework for our system of government. The Bill of Rights are the 1st 10 amendments to the Constitution and followed the ratification of the Constitution by about 4 years. The Constitution was passed in 1787 and the Bill of Rights was finally passed in 1791. The Bill of Rights and the Constitution are really quite different. In general, the Bill of Rights protects our individual liberties and the Constitution established how our federal government operates. The protections you and I enjoy as citizens stems primarily from the Bill of Rights and the other Constitutional amendments, not from the Constitution itself. Our freedom of speech, our freedom of religion, our right against self-incrimination, our rights to property, the freedom of the press all stem from the Bill of Rights. One final point--I am a firm believer there are no dumb questions. There are only dumb people who do not ask questions. This is a good questions and I doubt the ordinary American really understands why and how the Constitution and Bill of Rights differ.
2007-07-30 03:52:33 · answer #1 · answered by David M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the bill of rights is the first 10 amendments to the constitution. the declaration of independence was what the colonies sent to the king to start the revolution.
2007-07-30 10:37:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
All are important documents in the founding of this great nation. You should read all three and answer your own question afterward.
2007-07-30 10:37:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes
2007-07-30 11:09:47 · answer #4 · answered by train120 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋