Declaration of Independence (1776)

Adopted on July 4, 1776, the Declaration announced the colonies’ separation from Britain. Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, it asserted the natural rights of all men and the principle that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.

• Natural rights: “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
• Government by consent of the governed.
• The right to revolution when tyranny arises.

The Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation and established a federal government with three coequal branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—providing checks and balances to prevent tyranny.

1. Article I: Legislative Branch
2. Article II: Executive Branch
3. Article III: Judicial Branch
4. Article IV: Relations Among States
5. Article V: Amendment Process
6. Article VI: Supremacy Clause
7. Article VII: Ratification

The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, protect individual freedoms such as speech, religion, press, and fair trial.

• 13th Amendment: Abolished slavery (1865)
• 14th Amendment: Guaranteed equal protection (1868)
• 15th Amendment: Granted voting rights regardless of race (1870)
• 19th Amendment: Granted women the right to vote (1920)
• 26th Amendment: Lowered voting age to 18 (1971)