How Is The Declaration Of Independence Liberal Or Conservative

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A Liberal Movement
The Declaration of Independence was more of a liberal movement than conservative. When Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, he wanted to change the British king’s tyrannic hold on America. The king of England taxed the colonies without proper representation, and abdicated the colonial assemblies. First, the Declaration emphasized the rights of “Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness,” a change to what they had before. Second, the Continental Congress wanted the American colonies the become “free and independent states.” Therefore, the colonists wrote the Declaration as a liberal action rather than conservative.
To begin, the Declaration of Independence was written by the people to ensure their rights are safeguarded. Without that, people can abolish their government and form a new one that meets their principles. Patrick Henry’s speech, “Give me liberty, or give me death,” proves that he wanted to fight the British people for his right to freedom. The American colonies, who had lived in harmony with Britain, for centuries, now wanted change. They wanted to break away from the king of England, and decided to write the …show more content…

Being a liberal movement, the Declaration also stated that the colonies would have self governance. Thomas Paine enhanced this thought when he published his pamphlet, Common Sense. He made a strong case for American freedom, and confirmed a final break with Britain was absolutely necessary. This itself was a liberal movement. His work convinced millions throughout the colonies, including the members of the Continental Congress. Like Paine, who stated that the natural rights of people were being violated, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration with that foundation. He stated that people were being deprived of their natural rights, and wrote the Declaration as a liberal document to prove

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