The Constitution of the United States and The Declaration of Independence

by Thomas Jefferson

"We the people of the United States..."So begins one of the most famous documents in world history, the Constitution of the United States of America. First drafted in 1787 by the Founding Fathers—men like Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington—the United States Constitution gives the framework for what became the United States government.Included in this collection • The Declaration of Independence• The complete text of the Constitution of the United States • The Bill of Rights and all subsequent Amendments• The Articles of Confederation

Genres: History, Nonfiction

26 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 21, 2026

About the author

Thomas Jefferson was an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, and Founding Father who served as the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Following the American Revolutionary War and prior to becoming president in 1801, Jefferson was the nation's first U.S. secretary of state under George Washington and then the nation's second vice president under John Adams. Jefferson was a leading proponent of democracy, republicanism, and individual rights, and produced formative documents and decisions at the state, national, and international levels. His writings and advocacy for human rights, including freedom of thought, speech, and religion, served as substantial inspirations to the American Revolution and subsequent Revolutionary War in which the Thirteen Colonies succeeded in breaking from British America and establishing the United States as a sovereign nation.
During the American Revolution, Jefferson represented Virginia at the Second Continental Congress and served as the second governor of Virginia from 1779 to 1781. In 1785, Congress appointed Jefferson U.S. minister to France, where he served from 1785 to 1789. President Washington then appointed Jefferson the nation's first secretary of state, where he served from 1790 to 1793. During this time, in the early 1790s, Jefferson and James Madison organized the Democratic-Republican Party to oppose the Federalist Party during the formation of the nation's First Party System. Jefferson and Federalist John Adams became both friends and political rivals. In the 1796 U.S. presidential election between the two, Jefferson came in second, which made him Adams' vice president under the electoral laws of the time. Four years later, in the 1800 presidential election, Jefferson again challenged Adams, and won the presidency. In 1804, Jefferson was reelected overwhelmingly to a second term.
As president, Jefferson assertively defended the nation's shipping and trade interests against Barbary pirates and aggressive British trade policies, promoted a western expansionist policy with the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the nation's geographic size, and was able to reduce military forces and expenditures following successful negotiations with France. In his second presidential term, Jefferson was beset by difficulties at home, including the trial of his former vice president Aaron Burr. In 1807, Jefferson implemented the Embargo Act to defend the nation's industries from British threats to U.S. shipping, limiting foreign trade and stimulating the birth of the American manufacturing industry. Presidential scholars and historians praise Jefferson's public achievements, including his advocacy of religious freedom and tolerance, his peaceful acquisition of the Louisiana Territory from France, and his leadership in supporting the Lewis and Clark Expedition; they give radically differing interpretations of his views on and relationship with slavery.
Jefferson is ranked by both scholars and in public opinion among the upper-tier of American presidents.

Reviews

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The two documents - different in context and content but inexorably linked by history and morality - are glorious foundations for democracy, liberty, and the rule of law. They must be read and reread by freedom loving people everywhere." - Alan Dershowitz

It is high time that progressives in America read the Constitution of the United States of American and the Declaration of Independence. The current shift towards socialism is eroding our freedom and jeopardizing our pursuit of liberty.

[nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must Read for all IS Citizens

Great read or refresher for all. Absolutely amazing document. Get your children or grandchildren to read.it will help them understand the basis for how or government functions.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K]

Quick Summary: MCS resource material

My Review: Utilizing as a Multicultural Studies text; re-read

Audience: All

[charlotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just read it because ed norton

[Sandra Easter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should have a copy on hand

[Steven Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Alan Derschowitz and his introduction was eye-opening about the difference between the Constitution (a legal document) and the Declaration of Independence (a mission statement, but not a legal document).

I am enjoying reading these foundational documents on my Kindle. I am reading them slowly so that I can savor every word, every nuance. Anyone understanding these documents will then understand why America is America. Anyone who disagrees with these documents, well, we know what you should do. 🧳✈️

[janet knudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was enlightening to read the back bone of our country again. It is disturbing how the Democrats have tried mislead there us.

It was enlightening to read the back bone of our country again. It is disturbing how the Democrats have tried to mislead us. I think everyone should read these every year so we don't let anyone mislead us about what is in the Constitution.

[Rennell Goudeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reader in ful at 41yrs old.

I felt it was time to read and understand what people are referring to when they speak of the Bill of Rights and what it means when their rights are violated.

[Jonathan Maas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great intro by Alan M. Dershowitz, and then there are the two documents. Just incredible all around.

[Julio R. Vargas-Vidal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required reading for every citizen

As an Army Chaplain. I was advised by a General to read the US Constitution. This must be a required reading for every Chaplain.