While both the Articles of Confederation and the Declaration of Independence were foundational documents in early American history, they reflected different purposes and principles.
The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, primarily served as a formal statement announcing the colonies' decision to break away from British rule. It laid out the philosophical and ideological principles upon which the new nation was to be founded. It famously proclaimed that "all men are created equal" and possess "unalienable rights" such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The document emphasized the concept of popular sovereignty, stating that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed, and that the people have the right to alter or abolish any form of government that becomes destructive to these rights.
On the other hand, the Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781, served as the first constitution of the United States, outlining the structure and functions of the new national government. Unlike the Declaration, the Articles were more concerned with practical governance and addressing the immediate needs of a newly independent nation. They established a weak central government with most powers retained by the individual states. Under the Articles, the federal government had limited authority to tax, regulate commerce, and enforce laws. Each state operated largely independently, and there was no executive branch or federal court system.
In terms of reflecting the values put forth in the Declaration of Independence, there was some overlap, particularly in the concept of self-government and the idea that governments derive their authority from the people. Both documents underscored the idea of breaking free from monarchical rule and the belief in the importance of individual rights.
However, the Articles of Confederation fell short in fully embodying the principles of the Declaration. The weak central government created under the Articles lacked the power to effectively address many challenges faced by the new nation, leading to problems such as economic difficulties, interstate disputes, and an inability to deal with national defense issues. This ultimately led to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where the current United States Constitution was drafted to replace the Articles, creating a stronger federal government while still safeguarding individual rights.
In conclusion, while there were some shared values between the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation, the latter focused more on practical governance and reflected the challenges and compromises of the time, whereas the former was a philosophical statement of principles and ideals upon which the nation was founded.