America's Founding Documents Essay Example

The founding documents each have a huge importance to the United States of America. There are three documents that we still abide by to this day. The Declaration of Independence’s purpose is to keep us a free country. The Constitution’s purpose is to establish the government of our country. Lastly, the Bill of Rights’ purpose is to establish the people’s basic rights. Without these documents, we would not be able to function as a united country. Each document plays its own role in keeping our country thriving. 

On July 4th, 1776, five men came together to publish a document in order to keep our country free from being ruled by any other country. This document was the Declaration of Independence. It was written after a war between Britain and the United States, which was ruled by Britain at the time. The war was occurring because the United States wanted their freedom. Once the United States won the war, the United States wrote the Declaration of Independence to declare their independence.  The document states, “[...] and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is ought to be totally dissolved. [...] And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence.” The quote explains how we are free from any other countries ruling over us. Since Britain had just previously been ruling over us before this document was published, the document states how we do not want any political connection with Britain from then on whatsoever. This document still applies to our lives now. For example, the United States creates its own laws and chooses its own government to this day. We would not be able to have this freedom if we weren’t our own country.

The Constitution was written on September 17th, 1786. This document was written to establish the laws and government of the country. The Constitution states, “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America.” This quote lists everything the Constitution protects in order to have a fair government. This ensures that there is no unjust situations happening in our government. Even though the constitution is around three thousand years old, it still applies to the United States to this day. For example, the constitution allows the common people to vote in government elections once you turn eighteen years old. Without the constitution, we would not be able to have that right.

The Bill of Rights was written in 1689 to protect the basic rights of U.S. citizens. The document consists of 10 amendments, each pertaining to our basic rights. Amendment Six states, “You have the right to a fair and quick public trial confronting on accusers.” This means that when you are in court they are certain rules the court must abide by. For example, you must have a lawyer; and if you are unable to afford one, the court must provide one for you. When you are arrested, the police officer must say, “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you?” These amendments still apply to this day. They allow us to live a fair and just life. 

In conclusion, each of these documents play a huge role in keeping our country functioning. The Declaration of Independence allows us to be our own free country. The Constitution helps establish how our government should be functioning. The Bill of Rights ensures we have a fair and just life. Without all of these, our country would be very different; and we would not have as much freedom as we do now.