The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776, in response to the British government failing in representing the rights of the colonists. The Declaration begins by stating that if the government representing the people fails to secure their rights, or becomes destructive, then “it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it” (1776). Therefore, since the colonists believed that the British government was failing them and their rights, they decided to declare their independence from them. The Declaration of Independence was inspired by the works of John Locke and the Enlightenment era. However, the Declaration motivated for two other works of the same context to be written. Firstly, the Texas Declaration of Independence (1836) was …show more content…
made by settlers in Mexican Texas who launched the Texas Revolution in 1835. In their Declaration they state that at first they were content with the Mexican government since it permitted the population of Texas to continue upholding their “constitutional liberty and republican government” (1836). However, what pushed for the revolution and the writing of the Declaration was the changes made to the constitution by General Antonio Lopez Santa Ana, who created a tyranny. Ultimately, the people of Texas felt displeased by the Mexican government and the lack of secured rights, pushing them to become independent. The second document that was inspired, or was written as a response to the Declaration of Independence, was the Declaration of the Immediate Causes Which Induce and Justify the Secession of South Carolina from the Federal Union (1860).
This Declaration is distinct from the Texas Declaration of Indepence, in that it does not follow the similar wording and structure of the original Declaration of Independence. Rather, it responds to the Declaration and picks certain pieces of it in order to defend their want of being an independent state from the Federal Union. The Declaration from South Carolina was created due to the failure of enforcing the Fugitive Slave Act, which stated that slaves which escaped from one state to another must be returned back. The Act was not being upheld by some of the northern states since they abolished slavery, and in return were not giving back the slaves to the states and owners which they came from. Therefore, the Declaration from South Carolina states that the northern states have disregarded “their obligations and the laws of the General Government have ceased to effect the objects of the Constitution” (1860). It claims that they no longer have the power of a self-government, hence their claim to independence and becoming a separate …show more content…
state. The U.S. Declaration of Independence did serve as a model, mainly for the Texas Declaration of Independence. The latter coincided in structure and wording, stating that they have “inalienable rights” and one of those rights being abolishing a government that has failed the public. Both of the declarations also justify themselves with a list of similar reasons for why they are claiming their independence. For instance, both make claims that they did not have the right of trial by jury. Furthermore, both end their declarations on a similar note, expressing their freedom and dissolving their connection to their former ruler. The reason why both of the declarations are similar may be because they are fighting for a similar cause. Both the United States and Texas are declaring their independence from a ruling government that is depriving them of their natural rights. Both the British and Mexican government started out treating the colonies and Texas, respectively, in a different manner. They started off being completely free and autonomous, however their ruling government became more apprehensive and started to take away their rights. On the other hand, the Declaration from South Carolina is only hinting at one specific problem with the government. They have an issue with the northern states not holding up their end of the Fugitive Slave Act and the government have not done anything to uphold and enforce it. The declaration does have a similar structure, however what sets it apart from the Texas Declaration of Independence, is that it quotes from the U.S. Declaration of Independence. For example, their declaration states “A struggle for the right of self-government ensued, which resulted…in a Declaration, by the colonies ‘that they are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states” (1860). Therefore, the Declaration from South Carolina uses specific parts from the Declaration of Independence in order to further their claim against the same government who goes by it. Ultimately, I would not state that they were inspired the Declaration of Independence, but rather they used it to their advantage in order to show that the government is not following their own principles. I believe that the Texas Declaration of Independence was successful at stating their reasons for wanting to separate from México.
Unlike the Declaration from South Carolina, they had more than one reason, and their reasons showed their lack of rights and representation in the Mexican government. The Mexican government, in my opinion, took away more of their rights than the British did to the colonists. The people of Texas did not have any public system of education, forced their representatives in government to leave their seat, stripped them from their freedom of religion, took away their arms, massacred the people, and more. Thus, they would have convinced me of their rights to break away from
México. The Declaration from South Carolina would not convince me right away. They state that that each of the states are free and could govern itself, passing laws and establishing commerce. Therefore, when the northern states expressed that they will no longer support slavery, they were in their every right to do so. The same way the southern states could hold slaves, the northern states could also hold fugitives and choose not to return them back to the slave owners. That is, morally speaking. Nonetheless, the federal government did pass the Fugitive Slave Act. Each state has the right to place their own laws, but they all need to follow through with the federal government laws. The northern states did need to keep their end of the act and return the slaves. Hence, I am caught in the middle with this declaration and I am unsure of whether they fully convince me. I believe if they list more reasons for why the federal government has failed them or why they need to abolish it, then I would be more convinced. Overall, their declaration sounds more like an issue between the northern and southern states, rather than with the federal government. If I were a foreigner, all of the declarations would have succeeded in convincing me. I believe that no matter what country the people are in, or what type of government they have, everyone is deserving of their natural rights. Everyone is equal, independent, and should claim their rights. If they are not pleased with their government, and their government has failed them in multiple ways, then they need to take control and create a new form of government. The same way John Locke and the Enlightenment era inspired for the writing of the Declaration of Independence, I believe that the latter has and will inspire future documents. In such a short time period, two different declarations were written with the Declaration of Independence as a model and reference. Each of the declarations, ultimately, inspire for the people to stand up for their rights, disregarding the country and the 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
The passion for freedom was a unextinguishable flame. The fury fueled by the injustices of Great Britain induced the desire to break away from the mother country and develop a new independent government. This idea started to materialize when Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin wrote and adopted the Declaration of Independence, which stated the colonies' intention to create their own government. Thomas Jefferson and the other authors carefully manipulates their language by using parallelism and diction in order to persuade the reader to fight for personal rights and justice.
After it was written, 56 delegates coming from all of the 13 colonies signed the Declaration of Independence in order to make it official. This document served great justice during the Atlantic Revolution; it sought to make a difference as to how the colonies were in terms of their alliance with Britain. The Atlantic Revolution was able to make this happen, for it opened up the space for change. Through the document, we can see how the colonies determined to separate themselves from the British Empire. Some things to pay attention to in the writing is that they mentioned things like “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”. The goal of this statement is to make sure that even though the men make up the government and the people must be okay with them, at the end of the day the people have the right to make sure that their government is not being destructive and is aiming towards their rights. The Atlantic Revolution brought forth new ideas of government and the liberation of the colonies from the
People were finally serious about breaking away from the British and wanted their independence. In 1776 they decided to write the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson was the main writer of this declaration which established the United States as a nation. After the Continental Congress approved The Declaration of Independence, it was official. Though the British refused to recognize The United States as a nation, the United States were fighting for their freedom and independence. They no longer wanted the British controlling them.
The Declaration of Independence refers to “our constitution”, in this respect they were referring to the Ancient British Constitution. The United States was expressing the fundamental aspects of British politics; among these were Classic Republicanism, Enlightenment Liberalism, and Protestant Christianity. In the Declaration they balanced all of these English traditions; expressing what they believed to be the true spirit of the British Constitution. As Edmund Burke would say, “(the Revolution) was carried out not to create new liberties but to preserve old ones” (Wood, p. 58). The main issue that the colonies had with the British following 1763, was England’s belief in the doctrine of
Why was the Declaration of Independence written? The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776. We all know that day as Independence Day. It was accepted on July 4, 1776. On that day, the United States had freedom. There was a long, hard process to get the Declaration of Independence where it needed to be. It took several people, and several reviews to get it just right.
Our Declaration of Independence, was penned most notably by Thomas Jefferson in response to the atrocities committed by the British Crown against the citizens of the American Colonies. At the time of the drafting of The Declaration, Jefferson was widely known to be a successful practitioner of Law as a lawyer, and an eloquent writer. It is due to this, that although Jefferson was a member of a five-man committee charged with drafting the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson was tapped to be the main author.
The shot heard around the world happened in Lexington when the killed 8 colonist. Soon British retreated back to Boston fighting all the away. Finally the declaration of independence was written in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson. An import aspect came to form this document was the French would side with the Americans if we separated from Britain. Only one state was against it, New York. He listed more than two dozen specific grievances about the king and about slavery. On July 4th the declaration of independence was a success and a moth later they went to sign the official parchment copy. The document was printed and read everywhere in celebration.
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 was written on July 4, 1776. On that day the 13 Colonies became free and Independent states. The Declaration of Independence states this “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; That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to...
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence for the American colonists to proclaim freedom from Great Britain's oppressor, King George III. American colonists had been suffering for many years when this important document was drafted. King George III had pushed the colonists into a state of tyranny and most decided it was time to start an independent nation under a different type of government. Jefferson focused his piece toward many audiences. He wanted not only King George III and the British Parliament to know the American's feelings, but also the entire world. The time had come for an immense change amongst the American colonists and Jefferson made sure everyone was aware of it by using his superior strategies of persuasion.
The Declaration of Independence was written to separate the American colonies from Britain, but there were many underlying goals. It was written to state the grievances that the colonists held against the British, particularly the king. The colonists wanted a better economy, a new republican government, but perhaps most of all, they simply wanted their misery to end. This is what they set out to explain in the document. John Adams described it as “a Declaration setting forth the causes which have impelled us to this mighty revolution, and the reasons which will justify it in the sight of God and man” (Friedenwald 182).
When in the course of the household we, the teens, have always had the responsibility of doing the chores around the house.When oneself has to do chores one has to miss out on hanging out with friends, going to the mall, et cetera. Of course we do not wish to be disrespectful toward our parents but it is now time that we write our own Declaration of Independence. It is important that our parents or guardians know how everyone feels about the chores that have been placed on us and why we should be independent.
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.