The Declaration justified the independence of the United States by listing colonial grievances against King George III, and by asserting certain natural and legal rights, including a right of revolution. Having served its original purpose in announcing independence, references to the text of the Declaration were few for years. Abraham Lincoln made it the centerpiece of his rhetoric (as in the Gettysburg Address of
Between June 11th, and June 28th, of 1776 Thomas Jefferson wrote his manifesto, “The Declaration of Independence” (later enhanced by the eloquent, and skillful, changes that Bengermin Franklin and John Adams made), as a call for the American colonies to break free from English rule. It may seem strange that Jefferson wrote this as an appeal for solidarity from the British citizenry, he even went so far as to call the British people his “Brethren”, but is important to put
Declaration in My Eyes How do I see the Declaration of Independence in my own eyes? This is a very important document which was written primarily by Thomas Jefferson in 1776. The Declaration was written to declare the thirteen American Colonies independent from Britain’s rule. This document is a very important part of America’s history and how we came to be the United States of America instead of being under the British Empire’s rule. The purpose of my essay is to explain and translate out the Declaration of Independence in my own words.
The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776 by some of the greatest minds of the 18th century. The Declaration of Independence is applicable today because it is a timeless declaration of rights of citizens that continues to stand the test of time in democratic societies. The Declaration of Independence was based upon timeless documents and proven ideals that came before it. Perhaps, the most prominent document is the Magna Carta, which provided restrictions upon the English government in 1215, by making the King abide by his laws and rights for the citizens of the country. The Magna Carta declared that people’s rights are unable to be taken away by any government, because their rights are given to them by a higher power; God.
Richard Henry Lee sent a document to Arthur Lee on February 24, 1774. He wrote to him, “America is now most firmly united and as firmly resolved to defend their liberties ad infinitum against every power on Earth that may attempt to take them away.” This means that Richard Henry Lee was sure that all Americans would fight for their freedoms forever with whomever that takes their freedom away. He believed that the colonists were willing to devote their lives to defend and stand up for their liberty and rights. (Doc. C) The colonies worked as one to do donate many goods to Boston.
He emphasized heavily on the importance of unity between the states, the significance of the Constitution, the Checks and Balances System, and amendments. He mentioned about the implication of religion, education, and morality that exist in the newly settled nation. Lastly, he proposed the Proclamation of Neutrality of 1793 (Doc A). This proclamation was serving as a principle to have an effective legacy of the country. George Washington stated that they should deal with “sincerity and good faith adopt and pursue a conduct friendly and impartial [to Britain].” He may have stated this for he was the first to be the role model of the future presidents, therefore he would want to leave a legacy that will effectively put American in the positive direction.
Through this pamphlet he addressed those issues and made it possible for public support of independence to gain ground. Knowing this, it isn’t hard to wonder: Would the Declaration of Independence have been written if “Common Sense” hadn’t opened the door before it? Thomas Pain was born in England and made his living there until 1774 when his life made many changes and he met Benjamin Franklin, who encouraged him to try his luck in America. Inspired by the American Congress’s refusal to separate from Britain and Britain’s treatment of the colonies he wrote “Common Sense”. It was a pamphlet designed to awaken the people of the American colonies to the unjust treatment done to them by Great Britain and to unite them against British rule.
Similarly, when the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were written, the Declaration of Independence served as the charter or the purpose document, and the U.S. Constitution served as the bylaw, or the organizational document. The Constitution “serves” the principles in the Declaration of Independence. Now that you have some background knowledge of these two documents, we can talk about the similarities between them. In the Declaration, we have these very famous words: “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”(Declaration of Independence).’’ So here in the Declaration we have a statement of core principals and beliefs. Then the Constitution in turn serves that role as in organizational document and has this statement in the beginning: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common
“Common Sense” was the pamphlet written by Thomas Paine which was published in 1776 in which he talks about why there is need for American independence and argues for self-governed nation. Paine uses the basic format of proposal and even after so many years, this piece of writing remains of the best written articles in the history of United States. Paine used the common language of the people which helped him prove his point more effectively. Paine begins his argument with the basic and theoretical reflections about the British Government and then explains more about the specifics of colonial situation. He then gives various evidences which were easily interpretive and understandable by the common American.
Lincoln famously begins his speech with the words “four score and seven years ago.” This beginning is taking the nation back to the founding moment, to the revolution of 1776. The importance of 1776 is not just the event itself but also what the founders said those 87 years before. Lincoln, by focusing on the revolution, and more specifically the Declaration of Independence, is making an argument about what America stands for. In that same first sentence, he simply and directly states his case: “a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” By highlighting these words from the Declaration of Independence, he is indirectly speaking to the issue of slavery, and in doing so is trying to expand the cause of the war from just saving the union to redefining the union, or, in Lincoln’s own words, giving the nation “a new birth of freedom.” This was a positive speech in which Lincoln hoped would bring the country together in the aftermath of a terrible and bloody