 |
The Importance Of The Declaration Of Independence In American History |
 |
 |
|
 |
| |
| |
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IN AMERICAN HISTORY
The Declaration of Independence – adopted on July 4, 1776 – not only announced the birth of a new nation, it also lays down a philosophy of human freedom, then and there to be an active force in the entire western world. It rested not upon particular accusations but upon a wide base of individual liberty that could command general support throughout America.
It is fundamental to give details about the background that made the move to independence of colonies necessary, to begin any inquiry into the meaning of the Declaration. We need to go back to a time when Americans still kept a clear conception of themselves as a people composed of individuals capable of self-government. The American Revolution was the dramatic conclusion of just such a moment.
The reasons behind the urge for American independence form an essential part of the political identity of the United States of America, and the Declaration is a chief document in the continuing discussion about who Americans are as a nation and as a society, and what is the process of their looking after and finding their identity in the last three hundred years. The members of each generation strive to disco
|
| |
|
| |
Below are additional random excerpts from the paper...
Colonists initially protested these laws by peaceful ways such as petition, boycott, and committees. They argued that since they had no representation in Parliament, they could not be rightfully taxed by Parliament. As their petitions were repeatedly ignored, and taxes continually added, colonists attempted to more destructive actions, like the Boston Tea Party in 1774. In response to this rebellious action by the Massachusetts Colony, the King and Parliament carried out punishment by legislation. The colonists called this legislation as the “Intolerable Acts”.
These Intolerable Acts awakened the colonies to summon a congress for the purpose of a response to the King and Parliament as a unity. This First Continental Congress met in September 1774 in Philadelphia. All 13 colonies were present except for Georgia. The Congress prepared a declaration claiming that the Intolerable Acts were illegal, that the colonists held the same civil rights as English citizens, and that they would reject all English goods until negotiation was reached. These negotiations never happened. Instead, tensions continued to increase between the colonists and Great Britain. The First Continental Congress agreed to meet again in May 1775 if no negotiation had been reached. At this Second Continental Congress, all thirteen colonies were present. All colonists agreed that the King and Parliament denied them, their representative government and their civil rights. Yet, they were doubtful whether they would be strong enough to resist the British military. The Congress assigned a committee to prepare a declaration of independence that consisted of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston and Roger Sherman. All these men were familiar with English tradition, and each had thought at length about the problems of government. But of the three, Jefferson was known to possess the most straightforward pen, and his words portrayed the hopes and ideals of the colonies.
No document in American history can compare with the Declaration of Independence in the place that it holds in the minds and hearts of American citizens. It is in many ways the root document of that democracy. Not only did the declaration represent a milestone in the history of the United States of America, it also turned the political philosophies of 18th century Europe into real political practice.
The Second Continental Congress represents the people of the new nation called the United States of America. This declaration informs all the people of the world that the 13 united colonies are free from British rule and any political connections with Great Britain. The declaration also serves to appeal to the people of the world to understand the reasons why this partition is justifiable;
The list of abuses reveals the belief of the colonists’ that their rights as British Citizens had been gradually eroded since the French and Indian War that ended in 1763. Although the Declaration does not entitle the exact legislation passed by Parliament, its listing of the abuses and usurpation deals with the history of the King and Parliament’s bids to supply more and efficient control in America. The list expands with unpleasant actions, aimed at total control of the colonies. Jefferson devoted just about one-fourth of the abuses in his original draft of the Declaration of Independence to the topic of slavery . Jefferson held the King responsible for protecting slavery in the colonies. But, the congress, fearful of being too radical, removed all references to slavery from the document. It is still a historical discussion why Thomas Jefferson already owning slaves, devoted so much intellectual energy to condemning slavery and to trying to remove it from the colonies.
The Declaration of Independence marked the official separation between the 13 colonies and the Mother Land, Great Britain. An armed struggle between the colonies and
Some topics in this essay:
George III,
Declaration Independence,
French Indian,
Continental Congress,
King Parliament,
Pilgrim Fathers,
United America,
Happiness Prudence,
Mayflower Compact,
Locke Locke,
declaration independence,
george iii,
king george,
continental congress,
king george iii,
united america,
rights governments,
british military,
king parliament,
french indian,
civil rights,
french indian war,
instituted deriving powers,
rights governments instituted,
deriving powers consent,
|
| |
 |
| |
|
Approximate Word count = 2976
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)  |
|
|
 |
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
| |
 |
RELATED ESSAYS |
 |
| |
|
|
| |
 |
Freedomamp39s Manifesto... The Declaration of Independence has marked our ... Its ability to withstand the passing of time was essential for it to maintain such everlasting importance. ... |
| |
|
|
Recurring Theme in History...Womens rights... By the time the Declaration of Independence was established it ... process, and despite all of the governments efforts to reinforce the importance of voting ... |
| |
|
|
American Revolution and Mexican Independence... Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended ... the signing of the Declaration was not ... as the official anniversary of United Statesamp39 independence. ... |
| |
|
|
Declaration Of IndependenceThe relative importance of such a document can hardly be compared to any previous formal presentation known to modern ... The Declaration of Independence is the ... |
| |
|
|
Amistad... The importance of the Amistad case lies in the fact that Cinque and ... laws in compliance with the moral principles underlying the Declaration of Independence. ... |
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
PROFESSIONAL ESSAYS |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
The American Declaration of Independence... nor keep down the dissent of the governed, then there will be a blowup.ampquot One way of looking at the importance of the Declaration of Independence would be ... |
| |
|
|
Purposes of the American Declaration of Independence... nor keep down the dissent of the governed, then there will be a blowup.ampquot One way of looking at the importance of the Declaration of Independence would be ... |
| |
|
|
Importance of Land in Early AmericaBefore the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, there already was a differ3ence between the colonists who owned land and the ordinary ... |
| |
|
|
African American History... Gray 2004, 2. In order to understand the importance of education to ... to make American democracy and the tenets of the Declaration of Independence apply not ... |
| |
|
|
The Declaration of Independence... was to gather together many of the intellectual currents of his time, specifically those describing the importance of and ... The Declaration of Independence. ... |
| |
|
|
American Leaders... passed until the Declaration of Independence was announced ... In his Virginia Declaration rewrite of author George Mason ... in major theaters of importance during the ... |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Want to view this paper along with 100,000+ other example essays, term papers, and book reports?
Register Now and see what you've been missing!
INSTANT ACCESS single user memberships can be purchased online with a Credit Card, Online Check , or by
1-900 Number. |
| |
| |
Membership Plans |
Credit Card |
Check |
Phone |
Savings |
30 Day membership (recurring billing) |
$19.95 |
$24.95 |
|
|
30 Day membership (non-recurring billing) |
|
|
$34.95 |
|
90 Day membership (recurring billing) |
$39.95 |
$49.95 |
|
32% |
180 Day membership (non-recurring billing) |
$59.95 |
$74.95 |
|
50% |
|
|
|
|
|
