Declaration Of Independence Significance

1233 Words3 Pages

The Significance of the Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence is, and will forever be, one of the greatest movements in American history. It provoked the beginning of the American Revolution and fought for independence from British rule. This document was mainly written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which altered America indefinitely with its several principles inspired by the Enlightenment. Nonetheless, some might be wondering, what makes this document so significant for America? There could be various answers to this question, but if it were to be broken down, the Declaration of Independence was a significant and pivotal movement in American history because it proclaimed …show more content…

In around the 1770s, North American colonists became infuriated as they had no control over their own laws and tax payments. They perceived that they were paying astronomically high taxes to a government in which they had no representation. For example, a summarization of a quote from John Adams written in an essay by Richard D. Brown and Benjamin L. Carp states, "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 States of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved," (Richard and Carp 185). In this epitome, John Adams portrays the thirteen colonies and how they have an undoubted right to be free and independent. Also, absolving them of allegiance to the British Crown and completely breaking political issues with Great Britain. The significance behind this and how it relates to the Declaration of Independence being a pivotal movement is the thirteen colonies and their intentions to assert their sovereignty and establish themselves as their own, separate from British rule. Moving on, someone else to mention on behalf of the …show more content…

The Declaration of Independence laid out a new government that succeeded in the development and shaping of America as it allowed its citizens to abolish or even change any ruinous forms of the law coming their way. Organizing these powers in such a way provoked safety and happiness for its citizens. The Declaration of Independence continues to shape the American identity with its democratic movements nationwide. Lastly, the Declaration of Independence was a significant and pivotal movement in American history because it ultimately established the principles of freedom and equality. When the document was at its starting point, it proclaimed a set known as “natural rights,” which are those that don’t fall under the laws or customs of any specific culture or government, and so are general, fundamental, and inalienable. Then, the document was cited in particular ways in which King George III had violated the colonists’ natural rights. Thomas Jefferson argued that, "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," (Blaisdell 112). Jefferson declares in this quote that everyone is equal

Open Document