In what ways does the Constitution contradict the Declaration of Independence? In what ways is it congruent?

Identify two ways the Constitution addressed grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence?

• Answer:

  1. refused to allow colonists or hindered their right to representation --he refused to assent to laws made by colonies; called legislative bodies to meet in places of his convenience, distant from their materials and homes to force them to agree to his measures; dissolved houses of representation for opposing his invasion of their rights, and then refused re-election of those houses 2. made judges answer to the crown for employment and salary (so making the judiciary a tool of the crown and more powerful than the elected representatives) 3. kept standing armies in times of peace (a sign of autocracy) without legislative approval of colonies 4. allowed the British Navy to impress colonial sailors (who were seen by the Navy as British), and to force them to fight against the colonists during skirmishes as part of the British Navy 5. 'incited' native Americans to fight against patriots; but it especially named opposition to the substance of 6. the 5 INTOLERABLE ACTS, in response to Boston Tea Party and associated unrest: i.BOSTON PORT ACT: closing Boston port in response to Boston Tea Party, punishing all of the city rather than the guilty, without allowing any of them defense; ii. MASSACHUSETTS GOV'T ACT: brought Mass government under British control by making government positions appointd by crown, and limited Boston town meetings. Intended to pit colonies against one another; instead, other colonies worried about the possibility of the crown's interference in their affiars. iii. ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE ACT: allowed change of venue (even to Great Britain) for trials of royal officials if the King thought a fair trial could not happen in Massachusetts. Washington called it the "Murder Act." iv. QUARTERING ACT: provided housing for the British soldiers in unoccupied buildings of any colony. v. QUEBEC ACT: although not always an intolerable act, refered to by Declaration: it enlarged boundry of Quebec and abolished English Law, creating an apparent threat to the colonists. of course, the Declaration was less about grievances, as the War was already on. Rather, it was an open letter justifying the Rebellion, according to Republican terms.