Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution

    Taken together the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution are considered the foundational documents to American democracy. However, there are other documents and published speeches that have influenced the flow and direction of democracy in America. Selecting at least four additional documents published or printed before 1865 and identify how these documents have had a profound impact on the mind and spirit of the population in America and possibly overseas.  There were Americans that thought American independence in 1776 was a monumental mistake. Without glorifying the position of royalists, analyze and examine the position of what some historians have estimated as one-third of the politically active population in 1776, as against the goals of the Sons of Liberty. Consider the situation in Europe, Protestantism verses Catholicism, French alliances with indigenous people, and the influence of slavery and abolition in your examination of their position. Without taking a side, explain the Royalist position which was in opposition to the colonial patriots.  It is often called “the forgotten war” because it isn't studied much in school. But the War of 1812 played a big role in helping the United States grow up and become more than just a collection of states. With a detail examination of the reasons Congress and President Madison declared war on Great Britain on June 12, 1812 explain the goals and policy achievements they hoped to achieve. Also provide a deeper analysis on how the War of 1812 influenced American domestic and foreign policy long after the Treaty to Ghent was signed in Belgium.