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

Could you summarize the constitution, Could you summarize the constitution ...

Could you summarize the constitution in one paragraph highlighting all important points?

Summarize the author''s purpose in this book, In one sentence, how did Tocq...

In one sentence, how did Tocqueville succeed/fail in proving his point and why. State the author's thesis. In one sentence, summarize the author's purpose in this book.

Examine the claim of consequentialism, Examine the claim of consequentialis...

Examine the claim of consequentialism that actions are "right" to the extent they have beneficial consequences. Describe a situation in which a judge might apply the principle that

Story of the american westward movement, What is the value of Texas indepen...

What is the value of Texas independence to the story of the American Westward movement

Importance in the society was represented, According to the cannon of Egypt...

According to the cannon of Egyptian art, Importance in the society was represented by relative size (The God or King being bigger than the peasant). In modern culture, how do we as

Must be able to define and better understand the term, Must be able to defi...

Must be able to define and better understand the term Orders in Council Non-Intercourse Act Battle of Tippecanoe Fort McHenry Hartford Convention Missouri Compromise West Point

Role of the u.s. in the establishment of israel, Can someone describe the r...

Can someone describe the role of the U.S. in the establishment of Israel, a Jewish state.

Define nomadic indian great plains & woodland indians life?, How did the wa...

How did the way of life of the nomadic Indians of the Great Plains differ from that of the Woodland Indians? The Great Plain- On the Great Plains , nomadic

Constitutional or electoral means, Suggest at least two electoral or consti...

Suggest at least two electoral or constitutional means by which an informed citizenry could safeguard against a corrupt or bloated bureaucracy.

What does tony horowitz mean by farb of the heart, What does Tony Horowitz ...

What does Tony Horowitz mean by "farb of the heart"? Consider how Horowitz's book raises questions about historical memory and the meaning of the Civil War

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