...Paper 1 The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776 and announced the separation of the thirteen American colonies from British control. Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft, and after several edits, it became the final document. Jefferson employed several key concepts and phrases in the introduction and preamble. The introduction paragraph sets up what the rest of the document is about. Jefferson states that when it is time for a people to separate from a country, it is necessary for them to “declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” This indicates that the rest of the Declaration will outline and highlight the reasons why the American colonists decided to sever ties with Great Britain. The first half of the preamble–the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence–says that humans have certain rights, and the purpose of a government is to protect these rights. The first key phrase declares, “. . . all men are created equal.” This, however, is contradictory considering the existence of slavery in the colonies and the fact that the author, Thomas Jefferson, owned hundreds of slaves himself. Some argue that those who signed the Declaration thought of “the people” as male property owners, which would not include women or slaves as being equal. However, in the original draft, Jefferson did condemn King George for allowing the slave trade to flourish, but Congress voted against this because they did not want the...
Words: 579 - Pages: 3
...the public has with him. On this quote, ”Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. (…) Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children” (page 2 l. 12-15) King used an anaphora, which is beginning sentences with the same word or words. He used this to keep the public interested, appealing once more to their pathos.2. Kings speech was done in the time of the civil rights movement. The idea of ending segregation was the root of inspiration to his speech. The location in which this speech was done, together with the mentions King made to reinforce his ideas surely had an impact in making this, one of the most important speeches in American history. By mentioning the Emancipation Proclamation, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, King gave his words weight and credibility. By using metaphors and alliterations, he gave the public vivid images of what he meant and kept them interested. He was also able to give more intensity to his wording, by the use of antithesis. He made his points clear, with the use of repetition. However,...
Words: 578 - Pages: 3
...You have been asked to sign the Declaration of Independence. Explain in some detail your decision as if you were a colonial of that era. At first, this seems like an easy question, with the immediate thought being ‘of course I would sign the Declaration of Independence’ but when it is considered in the context of the times, there are quite a few things that must be considered before putting my John Hancock next to John Hancock. In the years leading up to 1776, the British Parliament did very little to endear itself to the colonists. Various measures, such as the Stamp Act, Townshend Acts, Navigation Act, and Sugar Act, continually antagonized the colonists and reinforced Parliament’s assertion that they were entitled to derive revenue from their rightful property. The feeling of being oppressed by the British government led to a growing feeling of solidarity amongst the colonists, and eventually inspired the idea that they could not only achieve independence and govern themselves, but in the process create an entirely new kind of government based on the tenet that all men are created equal and entitled to the same rights. Despite the excitement and appeal of independence, it would have been a difficult decision for me, as it was for many at the time, so turn my back on the country of our origin, and commit was essentially would be an act of treason. There was no guarantee this experiment would work, and it surely was no certainty the colonies could stand up militarily...
Words: 572 - Pages: 3
...March 17, 2012 Ivy Bridge College Declaration of Independence This was one of the most upsetting essays I have ever read. I could not help but feel extremely emotional as I was awakened by the sacrifices these great heroes had to endure in order for us to be free. Most of us have heard about the Declaration of Independence throughout our lives, and some may have actually read it. However, I cannot help but wonder just how many of us knew the sacrifices and heartache that the signors had to endure. This was for the implementation of the most famous and important document in American history. Fifty-six courageous men risked their lives for their country to take part in the progress of the Declaration of Independence. They risked being hung to death for treason if they were caught. They each felt the document to be a necessity, for in order for our country to become free. These men were hunted, forced to live in caves and in the woods. They had become poverty-stricken. Their wives were brutally treated. Rutledge, Middleton and, Heyward were prisoners of war. These courageous men lost their homes, their loved ones and even their lives for the American people to be free. We should be indebted to them for their sacrifices for us. My heart hurts as I see what condition our world is in today. The American people, I believe have forgotten what the Declaration of Independence stands for. It is our rights – our right to speak freely, our right to act freely; it is our FREEDOM...
Words: 624 - Pages: 3
...Declaration of Independence Alec Vargas AIU Online Abstract There are many artifacts hidden within sight every day. One artifact that many Americans take for granted is The Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence is an artifact because of what it resembles, and also what it allowed an entire group of people to do. This document helped solidify the future of many generations in and around the once newly formed United States of America. If an artifact is supposed to tell you about the core of a culture, then why do many people look over one of the most important artifacts in the United States history? The United States have a sole document called the Declaration of Independence calling for separation from British rule. But that is not just the only reason why the Declaration of Independence is so important. Why it is so important is how and whom the document brought together in 1776. The Declaration of Independence This document really shows how much unrest was between the thirteen colonies and Britain. This unrest comes from many attempts of oppression by the British government. This oppression reigned from, but is not limited to religion, financial taxation, military enforcement, and overbearing laws. The Declaration of Independence is a document of what the people of the thirteen colonies believed in, freedom. Freedom of what? Not just speech, but also against military rule and government rule that conflicts with the God given rights of a human...
Words: 779 - Pages: 4
...Revolutionary Ideas The Declaration of Independence The point of the declaration of independence is to explain why colonists wanted to separate themselves from Great Britain. The first part was the preamble, which describes the context for declaration. The second part declares self-evident truths. The third part lists the grievances against King George of England. The fourth part states that they have spoken, but their words were ignored. The fifth part of the Declaration of Independence summarized that the colonies should be free and independent states. Popular Sovereignty The first principle underlies almost the entire Declaration of Independence. Begins with “We the people,” then proceeds to say the reason why they are declaring independence. Social Contract The idea of the social contract is that men are born free, but he voluntarily gives up some of that freedom to create a government in order to bring about social stability and structure. Natural and Individual Rights Natural rights are those not contingent upon the laws, customs, or beliefs of any particular culture or government and there for inalienable. The declaration of Independence asserted that rights of Men come from God and were natural and inalienable. All other rights are subject to suppression by man. Rights of men are natural and are given by “The Creator” and cannot be taken away by the government. My Thoughts I believe that the declaration of Independence upholds the political principles...
Words: 255 - Pages: 2
...How does the Declaration of Independence, the Gettysburg Address, and Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech compare and contrast? Any half-sensible American should at least be able to tell you that they are all crucial pieces of America’s development as a nation, and that they all had different authors and intents. To compare and contrast them effectively, each piece’s purpose, the effect of the document/speech, and the author’s writing style must be analyzed. Each document was written under vastly differing circumstances. In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was constructed by our Founding Fathers to combat the oppressive power of King George and separate ties with Britain. In 1863 the Gettysburg Address was given by President...
Words: 653 - Pages: 3
...Day-Vid Field Mr. Sullivan English II LII 9/29/2013 The Declaration of Independence During our time of reading four different works, there is one that really stood out to me; The Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson. The reason why it stands out to me is because the people are determined to become their own colony due to the horrible government. In the story, Jefferson clearly states that, “ It is not just a citizen's right, but it is also his duty to protect an unjust government. The people are protecting the government because the king was not treating people the way they wanted to be treated. Jefferson stated, “ Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of there ends, it is the right of the people to altar or abolish it and initiate a new government.” That quote means whenever the people feel that the government is not doing their job, it is the peoples' job to change the form of government. Another quote that Jefferson used to describe his horrible government was, “ But when a long train of abuses and assumptions.” This quote means that the government has been doing unlawful rights or privileges to the citizens, and the people are sick and tired of not being treated fairly. In addition, the people want to become their own colony because the king is not treating the people equally with unalienable rights. Thomas Jefferson states in this quote, “ We hold their truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed...
Words: 447 - Pages: 2
...Dustin Secrist Declaration of Independence When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for me Dustin Secrist to dissolve my connections with television, I am compelled to speak. 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. Television is supposed to entertain you. It should make your life go by faster. Instead, the history of our relationship is a history of repeated injury. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world. Television has many bad parts about it. Its waists your time. It makes you lazy and addicted, it’s not good for you to watch television it turns you into someone who wants to eat and be lazy. In every stage of this oppression, I have attempted to communicate my feelings on these bothersome issues. I have: tried to give it a break. I have: tried to make it work with me. I have: tried to not get addicted to it. I, therefore, appealing to the supreme judge of the world do solemnly declare the right to be free and independent from television. Now I shall be free to signify a new beginning in my life. I will: now put my attention on others. And for support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, I pledge my life, my fortunate and my sacred...
Words: 253 - Pages: 2
...The Declaration of Independence is the document that was drafted as a proclamation for the 13 original colonies of New England to emancipate themselves from the British Empire. It was written in 1776 and ratified within the same few months. In total, there were multiple authors, many signees, and an even greater amount of contributors. The authors of the Declaration of Independence include five main Revolutionary leaders. The main leader who originally drafted the Declaration was Thomas Jefferson, and the four other main authors include John Adams, Robert R. Livingston, Roger Sherman and Benjamin Franklin. Jefferson was one of the original Founding Fathers of the U.S. as well as the third U.S. President. He was a proponent of the Continental Congress under the state of Virginia as well as the first U.S. Secretary of State. Adams, the second President of the U.S., was an influential public leader in Boston, Massachusetts as well as the Continental Congress. He played a major part in pushing independence for the colonies. Livingston was a Chancellor, which is the highest judicial officer in the state, as well as a Recorder from New York. Several years after the Declaration was written, he took office as the U.S. Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Sherman was the first mayor of New Haven, a town in Connecticut. Once the Declaration was written, he became a representative and senator in the new republic. Franklin was one of the original authors who wore the most hats. ...
Words: 600 - Pages: 3
...The Declaration of Independence is one of the most significant document in the history of the United States. From 1773 to 1776, the thirteen colonies became agitated with the British Monarchy. They were dealing with unfair taxation and British troops occupation. As the problems of the colonies grew and were being ignored, problems such as political differences. The British Empire and the American colonies became more hostile towards each other and the American colonies were prepared to declare independence from the British Empire. The American colonies believed they had to expand and conquer the land that God had entitled upon them. They believed that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by the creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these rights, life, liberty...
Words: 558 - Pages: 3
...Reviewing the Past One of the most revered documents in American history is the Declaration of Independence. It is with this simple combination of parchment and ink, that the thirteen original colonies started the American Revolution. The document set forth the ideal role of government by describing how God intended governments to work. However, the government’s objective of continuing the founding ideal of “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” has wavered over time. During the last two decades America has moved further away from these ideals as seen by the split political parties, decreasing safety, and The continuous disagreement of the two major political parties has caused the United States to come to a standstill after years...
Words: 711 - Pages: 3
...The Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson is a document written in 1776 that aimed to create equality among all persons on earth and grant everyone certain unalienable rights. Nearly 187 years after this document was written, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote a letter from inside the Birmingham jail addressing the inequality that African American people were facing in the South. Most white people in the South during this time were interpreting the Declaration in different ways that supported the segregation of African Americans and white supremacy where they took the phrase “separate but equal” out of context. Martin Luther King Jr. provides detailed events of unjust treatment based on race within his letter where he aims to re-interpret...
Words: 1717 - Pages: 7
...The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in our history. Everything said in the Declaration of Independence is very relevant, however; equality is the most important. The declaration of independence stated 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” Meaning that all people should receive the same rights, and be treated as equals. This is so important because everyone deserves the same rights. In document A Diana Pham a Vietnamese refugee, expressed how grateful she was of the equality given to her and her family. She said “America has given our family the chance to become whatever we choose...
Words: 472 - Pages: 2
...Imagine a world in which you lost all of your rights,and each law passed was required to follow. This unimaginable fantasy became the American Colonist’s reality. The Revolution was the start of American Independence. It was caused by several events between England and the colonists. These consisted of many disturbances such as the release of the Declaration of Independence and a few boycotts toward certain acts, such as the Sugar ,Stamp, and Townshend Acts. Seven battles occurred in relation to the Revolution spanning from (1775-1781). The colonists finally realized they deserved independence. This caused the Revolution to officially start in 1776 and continue until 1783. Were the American Colonists reasonably able to declare war upon England?...
Words: 878 - Pages: 4
