The new world was developed on the basis that everyone was equal, had certain rights,
and should be free from the oppression of a king. The Founding Fathers made it a point to
express these ideas in The Declaration of Independence and The Bill of Rights. The obvious
similarities in these documents exemplify the cohesion that America was founded on. Despite the
differences of opinion, the early settlers agreed they should be free from England and “all human
beings not harm ‘the life, the liberty, health, limb, or goods of another.’”1 It is essential to
analyze the similarities that are in the founding documents to understand the need for freedom.
By taking ideas from The Virginia Declaration of Rights and incorporating them into The
Declaration of Independence the Founding Fathers continued to establish the founding principles
of the United States. For example, people know America for the idea that all men are created
equal, and their rights cannot be revoked. This idea shows up in the first section of The Virginia
Declaration of Rights and the second paragraph of The Declaration of Independence.
Furthermore, it can be seen that these documents also contain the idea that safety and happiness
are inherent to a well-produced government and society. The Virginia Declaration of Rights
states “Government is, or ought to be, instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security
of the people, nation or community; of all the various modes and forms of government, that is
best which is capable of producing the greatest degree of happiness and safety.”2 This idea was
incorporated into The Declaration of Independence by expanding Mason’s idea. The Founding
Fathers stated that “whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is
1 “John Locke on the Rights to Life, Liberty, and Property of Ourselves and Others (1689) | Online Library of
Liberty,” Oll.libertyfund.org, https://oll.libertyfund.org/quote/john-locke-on-the-rights-to-life-liberty-and-
property-of-ourselves-and-others-1689.
2 “Section Three,” The Virginia Declaration of Rights, National Archives, last modified September 29, 2016,
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/virginia-declaration-of-rights.
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the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government.”3 While these two
documents focus on the happiness of the citizens, The Virginia Declaration of Rights and The
Bill of Rights have different similarities.
One of the biggest similarities between The Virginia Declaration of Rights and The Bill
of Rights is the idea that all accused persons had the right to face their accuser(s). This is stated
in the Sixth Amendment of The Bill of Rights and Section Eight of The Virginia Declaration of
Rights. Having this right gave people the ability to ensure that they maintained self-protection in
a court of law. Another similarity along these lines is Section Nine of The Virginia Declaration
of Rights and The Eighth Amendment of The Bill of Rights. Ultimately they say that no one can
impose “excessive bail and fines and cruel and unusual punishment.”4 Implementing this ideal
into the founding documents gave the people the ability to control punishments for criminals
humanely.
Overall, The Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights, and The Virginia
Declaration of Rights have one thing in common: the fair and humane treatment of the people.
The similarities in the three documents mentioned are the foundation of the United States and
prove that the rights of the people are more important than the government. By instilling these
values George Mason and the Founding Fathers established a nation that caused people to have a
sense of worth given by their government.
Bibliography
3 Thomas Jefferson, “Declaration of Independence,” National Archives (The U.S. National Archives and
Records Administration, July 4, 1776), last modified October 11, 2023, https://www.archives.gov/founding-
docs/declaration-transcript.
4 “Section Eight” The Bill of Rights: What Does It Say?, National Archives (The U.S. National Archives and
Records Administration, October 12, 2016), last modified October 12, 2016,
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/bill-of-rights/what-does-it-say.
2
National Archives. Jefferson, Thomas. “Declaration of Independence.” The U.S. National
Archives and Records Administration, July 4, 1776. Last modified July 4, 1776.
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript.
National Archives. “Section Eight” The Bill of Rights: What Does It Say? The U.S. National
Archives and Records Administration, October 12, 2016. Last modified October 12,
2016. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/bill-of-rights/what-does-it-say.
“The Virginia Declaration of Rights.” National Archives. Last modified September 29, 2016.
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/virginia-declaration-of-rights.
“John Locke on the Rights to Life, Liberty, and Property of Ourselves and Others (1689) | Online
Library of Liberty.” Oll.libertyfund.org. https://oll.libertyfund.org/quote/john-locke-on-
the-rights-to-life-liberty-and-property-of-ourselves-and-others-1689.
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