The Constitution of the United States of America: The Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights

This comprehensive collection brings together four pivotal documents that shaped American democracy: the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. These primary historical sources chronicle the American Revolution and the subsequent formation of the republican government. The Constitution, as the supreme law of the land, establishes the separation of powers that defines our governance, while the Declaration articulates the grievances against Great Britain that justified independence. The Articles of Confederation created the original wartime government structure, and the Bill of Rights enshrines specific political rights and personal freedoms. This paperback edition presents these documents in clear, readable text rather than facsimile, making their profound content accessible to modern readers. The collection highlights how America's founders borrowed from English political traditions while incorporating Enlightenment principles of representation and individual liberty. From the famous "We the People" preamble to the specific guarantees of the Bill of Rights, this book allows readers to explore the intellectual foundations of American governance in their original, unabridged form.