The Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, and Declaration of Sentiments Comparison

The Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, and Declaration of Sentiments Comparison

1. The Declaration of Independence was written to appeal the colonies' freedom from England

   • The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution in the 10th Amendment so that American citizen's rights are defined and stated.
     • The authors of these documents believe that the government is here to secure American citizens' "unalienable Rights"
       • In the Declaration of Independence, the authors state the grievances that they have had to deal with while under British rule.
         • These include what the King has denied to the colonies, forced upon the colonies, or forbid the colonies to do.
           • The authors are blaming the King and the authorities of Britain.
             • The authors justified their need for independence by describing how America was able to persist through their struggles.
               • In the Declaration of Independence, the phrase "all men are created equal" is defined by saying that everyone is "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights".
                 • This phrase impacts American society by stating that we should treat everyone equally and give them their "unalienable Rights". This includes EVERYONE, no matter what race, religion, etc.
                   • This definition has differed over time because some people try to change the definition to their liking in order to fulfill the prejudice or injustice they are pursuing.
                     • The Declaration of Sentiments was written in 1848 and it urged for women's rights. The grievances included discussing property rights, access to professions,and women's suffrage.
                       • The document demands that women are given the same equal rights as men. The most controversial was the demand for women's suffrage.
                         • One can infer that Stanton modeled it after the Declaration of Independence to show women's knowledge of our government and show that women are qualified to have the same rights as men.
                           • Stanton defines equal rights just as the Declaration of Independence does. All people have inalienable rights. The documents are similar by the way that they're formatted and the definitions that are given.
                             • Women expected that the men of the legislature would see their complaints and take action. They planned to continue fighting for women's rights by holding conventions in every state. Based on the document, it can be inferred that women were treated with little respect in the public eye. They were used as housewives and were not allowed to do anything else.