What are the differences between the Constitution, Dec. of Independence & Articles of Confederation?

Question

I have a political science class and know NOTHING about government. I have read the assigned chapters and can state obvious details about each, but what are the DIFFERENCES between all of them, including the Bill of Rights, as well. ANY help will be much appreciated!

Answer 1

You can't understand these documents apart from the history of colonies, their relationship to each other and to England, their mother country. These documents each represent steps in the sequence of many events which led to the actual government with George Washington as President.  What they mean to us today is somewhat different too!  Read a history that presents causes and beliefs which fostered what we call the American Revolution.  You'll see what roles these documents played.

Answer 2

The Declaration was a petition to the King of England from the thirteen colonies stating that they were seceeding from Britain. This is by itself and not really comprable to the other two.

The Articles were the first set-up of government. This allowed for a "friendship" among the states, but it didn't work well because it allowed too much individual freedom for each state.

The Constitution was the better form of government set up to replace the articles. This created a central government and established many things still used in our government today.

The Bill of Rights was part of the Constitution that alotted rights to the people of the union.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

The Declaration of Independence was a document that was written to claim its independence from Great Britain. Basically a "Dear John" letter to Great Britain. The Constitution was written to show the framework of how our government would be run describing the three branches of government and stating the supreme law of the USA. The Articles of Confederation was the document showing alliance of the original 13 colonies to be recognized as states of the United States of America.

EDIT:

Also, the Bill of Rights is section of the Constitution, containing the first 10 amendments.

EDIT:

Haha, what fool put a thumbs down on my answer? My answer is 100% correct my friends.

Answer 4

apple orange and banana

They are unrelated.

Answer 5

the constitution is the foundation of our government.  its basically the rulebook of society.  it defines what powers the president has and what laws are constitutional.  the articles of confederation was the previous constitution which gave too much power to the states.  they were abandoned in 1788 and replaced with the Constitution we use today

the Declaration of independence was when the colonies declared independence from Britain.  this was on July 4th,  the document describes all the reasons for which the colonies abandoned Britain.