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Us declaration of independence analysis
What does the Declaration of Independence mean
Informative paragraph on the declaration of independence
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In the year 1776, an extremely critical event in American history took place. 56 delegates signed a document that declared why they believe that men are created with unalienable rights and why tyranny would no longer be tolerated. They forever changed the way America would function. The Declaration of Independence, being based on other philosophy and documents, was a revolutionary epitome of freedom and justice that discussed the colonists independence, proper roles of the government, and the sacrifices of the men who drafted and signed the historical document. The Declaration of Independence discussed three main reasons for independence. The first is that all men possess natural rights. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all …show more content…
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” (2.7). Another reason for the split is because the British crown violated natural rights by abusing the laws and passing unfair ones. The colonists no longer tolerated tyranny and decided to create this document to be free. As Thomas Jefferson once said, “the history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these States. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world” (7.7). Thirdly, the British crown broke the social contract with the colonists. “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed” (3.6). The common social contract between man and the government is that man has created the government not to lose authority but in order to protect the rights of those who allow themselves to be governed. The Declaration of Independence states what the colonists believed the proper role of the government should be.
John Locke was a heavy influence of the declaration and stated that the identity of human nature must first be studied before understanding the idea of political power. “All men are made by one all-powerful and wise Maker. They are all his servants of one Master who sent them into the world to do His business” (12.4). John Locke stated that due to the fact that God is the maker of all men, all people are considered equal. “Since all human beings have the same advantages and the use of the same skills, they should be equal to each other”(9.4). The writers of the Declaration of Independence took this core idea and decided that the government should not have control over its people but instead be of a benefit to them. George Mason’s The Virginia Declaration of Rights also served as a basis for the declaration and discussed the roles of the government. George Mason explained that the government has one purpose which is to serve the creators of the government and to provide a humane and beneficial environment for all. “The government is, or ought to be, instituted for the common benefits, protection, and security of the people, nation, or community” (18.4). The writers of the Declaration of Independence attack King George and explain that he has not done anything but for his own and personal benefit. “He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and …show more content…
necessary for the public good” (9.4). Section three of the The Virginia Declaration of Rights explains that if the government has not fulfilled its roles, the people may take action. The government is a community service and if it does not serve the community, the people have a duty to each other to join together to reform, change, or even overthrow the government. Sections 4-7 of The Virginia Declaration of Rights specifically defines the roles of the government. It introduces the idea of having government representatives and that those who vote for them should be doing so for benefit of the people. These representatives should have a limited term and no one branch can have too much power. Additionally, it notes that the people of the government should not have special privileges. Finally, all alterations of the law should not be completed without consent of the people and should maintain individual rights. “That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States” (1.10). The colonist’s perception of the government of Britain caused them to revolutionize their future government. The definition of conservative is holding to traditional values and cautious about change, typically in relation to politics or religion.
The Declaration of Independence is the opposite of such a definition as it defied all previous traditions and ideas of the British monarchy. Thus, the Declaration of Independence is a revolutionary document due to it giving America its freedom. As stated in the Declaration of Independence “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”(2.7). The declaration was not only revolutionary in writing but in thought as it now allows a long lasting
freedom. The 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence are considered the forefathers of America. Their sacrifice and love for the colonists’ rights gave them the courage to be able to sign the declaration despite the potentially fatal risks at hand. These people risked their lives by putting their names on that document as they could have been found by the British military and could have been put to death by being hanged. As once said by Benjamin Franklin, “Well, Gentlemen,” he told the Congress, “we must now hang together, or we shall most assuredly hang separately.” (America: A Narrative History 7-8. 188). Benjamin franklin was a key helper in getting delegates to sign the document so that America could be where it's at today. The Declaration of Independence was a significant revolutionary document in American history. Many people fought and died for others to have their God given rights. The declaration defined the three main reasons for independence as a symbol of opposition. Britain denied these God given rights, manipulated unethical laws, and broke the social contract with the colonists. Today we celebrate July 4th every year as a historical day in which we finally achieved independence from Britain.
The declaration of Independence is an amazing document. It’s authors portrayed their anger, their disappointment, and their dream in a new government through this document. A government meant to protect the people's rights. They manifested this dream. they used logos and pathos along with other forms of rhetoric to show the people the urgency of their situation.
The Declaration was for the colonists to seek for independence. The quote most widely known is “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”(Jefferson) The Declaration of Independence was written mostly by Thomas Jefferson who stated the above quote. Like the Declaration of Sentiments, all men are created equal. The Declaration of Independence allows the people to have the right to abolish an proposition that they do not agree with. They also have the right to institute a new government if they do not feel it is not ensuring safety and happiness to everyone; they can vote in a government who will ensure this. It is also the peoples right to throw out a government when laws are abused. Every year on July 4, people in the United States celebrate Independence day, also known as the Fourth of
Imagine living in a country where no citizen has a say in the government’s actions. Envision a nation where the ruler can tax people without permission and the common people are forced to obey without question. That was life in The Colonies before the year of 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was created. Great Britain passed laws whether it benefited the people or not. Before the Declaration of Independence was composed, a plethora of unnecessary taxes were approved. These taxes sent many colonists into debt. According to “The Declaration of Independence, 1776,” published on Office of the Historian, a famous tax called the Stamp Act was passed by Parliament. This tax forced colonists to purchase stamps for every paper product
Jefferson’s language in the Declaration of Independence shows clear influence from Locke and his theory of Life, Liberty, and Property. Locke’s idea of government is one that sets out to protect these rights and once a government becomes more destructive than useful it is the right of the people to dissolve the government and start over from scratch. It can be seen that Jefferson’s view of government, through his criticisms toward the British Parliament, are in direct alignment with Locke’s.
The Declaration of Independence (1776) was written to proclaim the colonists’ independence from Great Britain and announce the rights of its citizens and the role of government, among other declarations. The most famous phrase “…all men are created equal”, authored by Thomas Jefferson, was a statement affirming that tyranny under the rule of King George III and the English Parliament would be met with opposition by the colonists who would protect their liberties in the new republic.
The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents produced by an American thinker. Reading The Declaration of Independence presents the reader with a window into the world of revolutionary America. It conveys the dynamic nature of the time better than any written work of the period. The real importance of The Declaration of Independence lies not in the purpose for which Jefferson created it, to declare independence from Great Britain, but rather how future generations have interpreted Jefferson's words. Jefferson's document originally guaranteed basic rights for a select segment of the American population. Today it has become a document which has been interpreted to guarantee the basic rights of everyone living in America and abroad. In a way it has become a document with a life of its own. It has become something far more substantial than anything Jefferson or his contemporaries, writing within an eighteenth century mindset, could ever have believed it would become.
The American Declaration of Independence has affected the foundation of the United States more than any other event or document in American history. The Declaration of Independence was the basis for what the country was established on. The document was a way for the colonists to emancipate themselves from the cruelty of King George. This document had such an impacting effect because it was such a new way of bringing up concerns. It was the first of its kind in the history of America in the aspect of liberation of a group of people.
Throughout history, only a few documents have changed the way we as a nation view politics and carry out our everyday lives. The document mentioned above was the Declaration of Independence. It changed the course of history because it granted America its freedom from Great Britain. Originally, there was a committee created to compose the document which consisted of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, Robert R. Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson. After conversing with one another, the committee decided that Thomas Jefferson would be the one to write it with the final approval coming from the other four. After writing it and receiving approval from the committee, Jefferson presented it to the House. What happened here was not what the committee originally expected. Not all of the delegates attending the convention approved the document. However, through compromising for the greater good of the “New Nation” and editing to accommodate everyone’s preferences, the document was finally approved by all thirteen colonies.
The Declaration of Independence was a major turning point for the fleeing people that sought out freedom. The people that were persecuted by the Mother Country, Great Britain. The lifestyle that was proposed by Britain was limiting and restricting the people that wanted freedom. Those people fled from the country to find a place where they practice their religion, and establish their own government. They wanted to be removed from the overpowering monarchy, which they once called home. But freedom was more important than tradition.This led to the thirteen colonies that formed a Congress that promoted the Declaration of Independence, and officially broke from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence is known as the most important document of history.
The Declaration of Independence is focused for the most part toward King George III and the British Parliament. Jefferson wanted them to understand the reasoning behind the American's decision of independence. From paragraphs 6-32 he lists all the acts of tyranny that King George III forced upon the Americans. The list is longer than all the other parts of the document put together. It demonstrates how much emphasis Jefferson placed on providing reasons. But, this list is not only directed at Jefferson, it is a reminder to all Americans and the whole world of what disturbing times have been overcome in the past.
The Declaration of Independence includes four parts. The first part is the Preamble, which explains why the Continental Congress drew up the Declaration. They felt their reason should be explained to England.
There are many important factors in the Declaration of Independence, which enable the foundation of a new government. These range from describing grievances with England, to how government should be run differently, to the first statement of separation. The first step to the foundation of a new government is the uniting of a people in a common goal. Since all people were feeling violated by English soldiers, it was necessary to state these grievances in order to make people aware that they are not alone. When people learned that others felt the same as them emotion was stirred. The Declaration of Independence listed the grievances such as, “He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.” The next important step to the foundation of a new government was to gain peoples ambition by showing how the government would be run if a new party took over. This goal was achieved by stating the rights of man. “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.” This statement made people hopeful and feel kindly toward this new government. The final step in the preparation for a new government was separation from the old government. This was declared twice in the Declaration of Independence. In the beginning, “That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, driving their just powers from the consent of the governed,” and in the end, “that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved. In conclusion, the Declaration of Independence was able to motivate people, give them ambition, and made it simple for Americans to take action.
It stated the reason for why the colonies were issuing it, which was to end the tie between the British and the colonies. The colonies, now known as the United States, declared that they were to be separate from the British and also to be their equals. There are three major topics within this document; self-evident truths, the purpose of government, and reasons for altering or abolishing a form of government. It states that all men are created equal, and without question should be granted rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is the government’s purpose to secure these rights, but it only with the consensus of the people. Although it is a right of the people, only when there is a “long train of abuses” should altering or abolishing a form of government be considered. Even if there is a scenario for which it is acceptable to abolish a form of government, it must only be done when all of the people are united in wishing to institute a new form of
The Declaration of Independence was written to be independent as stated in the name. We the people wanted to be free from the British Empire. This document speaks on behalf of all Americans, that everyone is equal. The Declaration of Independence began to be written on June the eleventh and was done to be published on June 28, 1776 but was adopted by the Pennsylvania State House on July 4, 1776. Thomas Jefferson was the one who wrote this document.
The Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, is an official statement of how the British monarchy was limiting the colonies in terms of the Lockean theory of natural rights and the people can rebel when it is felt that government is overstepping their power and is no longer following the wants of the people that it protects (153). The colonists felt that the separation from British rule was inevitable and justified due natural rights, specifically the pursuit of happiness, and the belief in God. Colonists were brilliant in their mentioning of religion because British was heavily Catholic and they opposed going against God’s plan (152). Also, the colonies have given Britain multiple opportunities to correct its wrongdoings. For example, King George III prevented the colonies from having representation in Parliament when they were under his rule (153). The colonies saw this action and other actions, as an abuse of power. The Declaration of Independence is a written expression of the colonies beliefs in government and people. The belief in government determined that it cannot restrict the natural rights that God has given to the people while the belief in people argued that it is a social unit that contains multiple individuals. Although society contains a grouping of people, each person is an individual and must be treated as