Freedom vs. equality in us goverment, History

Assignment Help:

Freedom vs. Equality

The Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, asserts that human beings "are created equal," and that they possess the rights to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." While the Declaration offered a stirring call to arms and a ringing endorsement of freedom and equality, the Constitution, written after the American Revolution's end, is a more sober document, designed to create a stable form of government for the new nation. The Preamble states that the Constitution is intended to "secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity," the original Constitution says nothing about citizens' equality. The Bill of Rights (the first ten amendments, added to the Constitution in 1791) does promise equal treatment under the laws.

Since the revolution, Americans have continued to debate the meaning of terms such as freedom and equality. For many Americans, these terms entail equality of opportunity. That is, they believe that the United States ought to be a society in which citizens have an equal opportunity to compete, and to succeed or fail according to their intelligence and efforts. Government, according to this view, should create a fair, "level playing field" so that all citizens have an equal chance to exercise their abilities.

 


Related Discussions:- Freedom vs. equality in us goverment

The stamp act, Which of the Stamp act and Boston Tea party played more impo...

Which of the Stamp act and Boston Tea party played more important role to American Revolution?

Why if no progress was made in war did we not just nuke them, why if no pro...

why if no progress was made in the war did we not just nuke them like we did Japan? With all the money we spent you would think that atomic power would be the best alternative. Or

Union for fighting the american civil war, What was the one of the major mo...

What was the one of the major motivations of the union for fighting the American Civil War?

Disposition of prisoners-of- war, Military Demarcation line - proposals for...

Military Demarcation line - proposals for a cease fire - disposition of prisoners-of- war

How did interventionalism influence, How did interventionalism influence Am...

How did interventionalism influence America's political and economic standing ?

Contribution or achievement of ancient athens, For my world history class I...

For my world history class I need to write an essay about Ancient Athens. It is a really broad essay, and we can really go whichever way we choose, but I would like to include thre

Columbus''s and the monarchs'' statements, What assumptions underlined Colu...

What assumptions underlined Columbus's and the monarchs' statements concerning the authority they expect to excursive in the lands Columbus discovers?

What other radical left groups should i focus on, I have to write a paper a...

I have to write a paper about the radical left and one group I have focused on is the weather underground. What other radical left groups should I focus on?

Block for female candidates for public office, Women are a numerical majori...

Women are a numerical majority in the United States. Why then do you think do they not vote as a block for female candidates for public office, and increase the proportion of women

Spanish renaissance and the spanish middle ages, what is the difference bet...

what is the difference between the spanish renaissance and the spanish middle ages. any simalarities? please give an in depth reply to this and how did it form the country of spain

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd