Compare And Contrast Declaration Of Independence And Bill Of Rights

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Two of America's biggest building blocks in government, the Declaration of Independence and the bill of rights have fundamental differences; they are also similar in many ways. The declaration came first in the list of founding documents of the United States. It was published on July 4th, 1776 to establish the disconnect between the states’ parent country, Great Britain. It is in this document that the United States officially became the United States and pointed out years of abuse and unjust treatment from Britain. The bill of rights came around when the country was more established. On December 15th, 1791 the bill of rights was ratified and became a part of the now-complex U.S. constitution. The amendments in the bill of rights dictate laws …show more content…

As evidenced by both the bill of rights and the declaration of independence the original relationship would serve the purpose to make sure that the governed are being treated fairly and equally. In the declaration of independence, it states “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.'' This shows that the government wanted its citizens (who they deemed citizens) a life of comfort, liberty, and happiness. Also, the bill of rights states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” The presence of this amendment exhibits the idea that the declaration of independence perpetuates. Throughout history, however, changes have been implemented in the way the government governs because of complaints from the people of the United …show more content…

This amendment was passed in 1869, 78 years after the ratification of the original set of amendments, which shows the changing relationship between the intended purpose of the document and how the changing country changed it. The declaration of independence also states that “governed,—That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.” which further protrudes the idea of an ever-changing