Virginia Declaration of Rights facts for kids

The Virginia Declaration of Rights was a very important document written in 1776. It announced that all people have natural rights. These are rights that everyone is born with, like the right to be free. It also said that people have the right to change or get rid of a government that isn't working well.

This declaration had a big impact on other famous documents. It helped shape the United States Declaration of Independence (1776) and the United States Bill of Rights (1789).

How it was Written and Approved

George Mason was the main writer of the Virginia Declaration of Rights.

The Declaration was officially accepted on June 12, 1776. This happened at a meeting called the Fifth Virginia Convention in Williamsburg, Virginia. It was a separate paper from the Constitution of Virginia, which was approved later that month.

Years later, in 1830, the Declaration of Rights became part of Virginia's State Constitution. Even before that, it was seen as the "basis and foundation of government" in Virginia. A slightly updated version is still part of Virginia's Constitution today.

Who Wrote the Declaration?

George Mason wrote the first ten parts of the Declaration around May 1776. Three more parts were added later by a committee. We don't know who wrote those extra parts, but Thomas Ludwell Lee's handwriting is on the original draft.

James Madison later suggested changes to the part about religious freedom. The larger Virginia Convention made even more changes. For example, they added a section about having a fair and equal government. Patrick Henry convinced them to remove a part that would have stopped certain laws against dangerous people.

George Mason based his first draft on ideas from earlier documents. These included the English Bill of Rights (1689) and the writings of John Locke. The Virginia Declaration was one of the first documents in North America to protect individual rights. It said that no one should have special political power just because of their family. This was different from the English system, which had special groups like the House of Lords.

The Declaration has sixteen parts. These parts explain the rights that belong to the people of Virginia. It says these rights are the "basis and foundation of Government." It talks about rights like life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness and safety. It also says that the government should serve the people. It explains that government powers should be split into different parts: administration, lawmaking, and judging. This document is special because it sets out both legal rights and moral rules for how a government should act.

What the Declaration Says

The first few parts of the Declaration talk about rights. They also explain how the government and the people should relate to each other.

Basic Rights for Everyone

• Section 1 says that "all men are by nature equally free and independent." It means everyone is born free and has certain rights. These rights include enjoying life and liberty. They also include owning property and finding happiness and safety. This idea was later used in the U.S. Declaration of Independence. It famously says, "all men are created equal," with rights like "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

• Sections 2 and 3 explain that all power comes from the people. It means the people are in charge. They say that if a government isn't doing its job, the people have the right to change or get rid of it. They can make it better in a way that helps everyone.

• Section 4 states that all citizens are equal. It rejects the idea that some people deserve special treatment or jobs just because of their family. This was a criticism of British systems like the House of Lords. It says that special rewards should only be for public service. These special rewards should not be passed down through families.

How Government Should Work

• Sections 5 and 6 suggest important ideas for government. They say that the lawmaking, executive, and judging parts of government should be separate. This is called the separation of powers. They also say that leaders should be chosen in "frequent, certain, and regular" elections. This means people should vote often for their leaders.

Protecting People from Government Power

• Sections 7 to 16 set limits on what the government can do.
  • Section 7 says the government cannot stop or carry out laws without the people's representatives agreeing.
  • Section 8 protects people accused of crimes. They have the right to know what they are accused of. They can face their accusers and call witnesses. They also have a right to a quick and fair trial by a jury. No one can be forced to speak against themselves. No one can lose their freedom unless it's by the "law of the land." This idea later became the due process clause in the U.S. Bill of Rights.
  • Section 9 states that punishments should not be too harsh. It says no "cruel and unusual punishments" should be given.
  • Section 10 bans "general warrants." These are search warrants that don't name specific people or places. They are seen as unfair and should not be allowed.
  • Section 11 says that trial by jury is the best way to settle property disagreements. It should be kept sacred.
  • Section 12 declares that a free press is very important for liberty. It says governments should never stop the press from being free. This was a key idea for the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
  • Section 13 talks about a "well regulated militia." This is a group of armed citizens who can defend the state. It says that standing armies (permanent armies) should be avoided in peacetime. They can be dangerous to freedom. It also says the military should always be under the control of the civilian government.
  • Section 14 states that people have a right to a consistent government. No separate government should be set up within Virginia's borders.
  • Section 15 explains how to keep a free government. It says people must stick to justice, moderation, and good values. They must also often remember their basic principles.
  • Section 16 discusses religious freedom. It says that religion should be a matter of personal choice and belief. People should not be forced into a religion. Everyone has the right to practice their religion freely. It also encourages people to be kind and charitable to each other.

How the Declaration Influenced Others

The Virginia Declaration of Rights had a huge impact on later documents. The group that wrote the United States Declaration of Independence in June 1776 used ideas from it. James Madison also used the Declaration when he wrote the United States Bill of Rights (approved in 1791).

The Virginia Declaration was one of the first documents to focus on protecting individual rights. Before this, many laws only protected certain groups, like members of Parliament. This Declaration was different because it protected all citizens. For example, it was the first declaration of rights to call for a free press.

During the American Civil War, Virginia's western counties used the Declaration of Rights. They said it gave them a reason to disagree with the state leaving the Union. They argued that any big change in government needed a vote from the people. Since the decision to leave was not voted on by the people, they said it was not valid. This led to the western counties forming their own state, West Virginia.

Famous Sayings from the Declaration

Many famous quotes and ideas come from the Virginia Declaration.

• "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. —That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed"
  • This quote is from the United States Declaration of Independence (July 1776).

• "Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions can be founded only on the common utility."
  • This quote is from the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789).

• "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
  • This quote is from the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution (December 1791). The Virginia Declaration talks about a militia, but not a "right to keep or bear arms."

See also

In Spanish: Declaración de Derechos de Virginia para niños