History The Declaration Of Independence Questions
The Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation are two important documents in American history, but they serve different purposes and have distinct differences.
The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, was a formal statement by the American colonies declaring their independence from British rule. It outlined the reasons for seeking independence and asserted the natural rights of individuals, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Declaration of Independence was primarily a philosophical and ideological document, expressing the ideals and principles upon which the United States was founded.
On the other hand, the Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781, served as the first constitution of the United States. It established a weak central government with limited powers, as the Founding Fathers were wary of creating a strong central authority after their experience with British rule. The Articles of Confederation granted most powers to the individual states, leaving the federal government with little authority to enforce laws or regulate commerce. This led to numerous problems, such as economic instability and difficulties in conducting foreign affairs.
In summary, the Declaration of Independence was a declaration of independence from British rule, emphasizing the natural rights of individuals, while the Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States, establishing a weak central government with limited powers.