...included representatives of government, embassies, NGOs, academics, and practising lawyers. Opening remarks STEFAN TALMON This is likely to be the only Advisory Opinion known by at least three different names. The case was originally known as Accordance with International Law of the Unilateral Declaration of Independence by the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government of Kosovo, as specified in the ICJ Order of 17 October 2008, the verbatim records of the Public Hearing and all Press Releases up to 14 July 2010. The official name of the Advisory Opinion of 22 July 2010 was Accordance with International Law of the Unilateral Declaration of Independence in Respect of Kosovo. Finally, in his separate opinion, Judge Cançado Trindade used the name Accordance with International Law of Kosovo’s Declaration of Independence. In terms of length, the Kosovo Advisory Opinion is not out of line with other Advisory Opinions. What is remarkable is how little substance it has. Only 14 of the 44 pages deal with substantive legal questions, and only two pages are devoted to the question of whether general international law contains an applicable prohibition of declarations of independence. Conversely, the Advisory Opinion is extremely well referenced, giving the impression the Court is playing for space. It was noted that the Advisory Opinion is interesting in terms of voting patterns. The widespread but often unsubstantiated view is that judges vote along the lines of their countries’...
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...Simple UnderstandingIsaiah Gauthier10/20/2014Mr. Trace1 | The Declaration of Independence was written as the way for the colonist to notify King George that they were splitting away from British control. The document was organized in 3 parts, intro and beliefs, their list of grievances, and the formal declaration. The introduction gave the reasons why the declaration was being written. The grievances list all the things the colonists didn’t agree with the king about like taxes. The formal declaration basically explained that the colonist are now independent and are not subject to Britain.2 | The Declaration of Independence illustrates the principle of popular sovereignty which means the people have consent of the government. Before independence the people had no control and were forced to live with the decisions of the king, but the Declaration changed that. Popular sovereignty comes from natural rights, granted by "the Creator". As a consequence, no legitimate government may exist without the "consent of the governed". 3 | The Declaration of Independence demonstrates the idea of social contract which means people have the right to take control of the government. King George was beginning to become careless with his laws on the colonist and the colonist had no say as to what happened next. In the declaration it stated "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 institute new Government...
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...Panel 1: Joshua Louis, 7/9/15, Ms. Parker, Freedom Pamphlet! Panel 2: The Declaration of Independence will always be recognized as the most important document in pursuit of freedom. This document stands as the reminder of a people’s struggle to Claim and win their independence against tyranny and unlawful acts. Historical experts continue to study the wording, structure and history of this document even today. While every American should be familiar with this most important document, many are not. Those people probably thought their ancestors one day woke up with the same rights they have, but that's not the case. They must acknowledge the hardships and sacrifices their ancestors went through to give them freedom. Panel 3: The first principle of popular sovereignty underlies the entire Declaration of Independence. It begins with the huge "We the People". Unlike most of world history and governments of the time, the Americans proclaimed that the people were sovereign, not King or Parliament. Popular sovereignty comes from natural rights, granted by "the Creator". As a consequence, no legitimate government may exist without the "consent of the governed Panel 4: Based on the Declaration of Independence, It begins with a statement that all men are created equal, that this is 'self evident', that everyone is entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. (John Locke originated this phrase as 'life liberty and estate', estate being more than just property), and when...
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...that sold cheese, coffee, soap, and sometimes a slave. 4. Benjamin Franklin’s Almanack became his most profitable product. Sugar Act 1. The Sugar Act raised the consequences of smuggling. 2. The Sugar Act came about in 1764 and was also called the Revenue Act. 3. The Sugar Act lowered the tax on molasses making it more appealing for shippers to follow the law. 4. The Sugar Act’s decreased tax on molasses did not stop smuggling like it was meant too. Daughters of Liberty 1. The Daughters of Liberty formed so that women could play a role in public happenings 2. Any woman in the community could make ties with the Daughters of Liberty by boycotting British goods. 3. The Daughters of Liberty held protests quietly unlike the Sons of Liberty. 4. The Daughters of Liberty would boycott things like tea, clothes, thread, etc. and were sometimes referred to as The Daughters of Industry. Thomas Gage 1. Thomas Gage was the commander of the royal army in New York. 2. Thomas Gage was the also the Governor of Massachusetts. 3. Lord North appointed Thomas Gage to commander of the royal army. 4. Thomas Gage relieved Thomas Hutchinson of his duties since he became commander. Thomas Jefferson 1. Thomas Jefferson was a radical looking for Independence. 2. Thomas Jefferson was also a...
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...The Declaration of Independence All individuals are entitled to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which is composed on the Declaration of Independence. A strong statement adopted on July 4, 1776 by the Second Continental Congress had just laid the corner stone of "their" new country named the United States of America. The composers had in mind that all men are created equal and should be able to enjoy the same free and opportunity filled lifestyle. Although, well thought out and detailed in manner, the issue now viewed is what was considered a man at the current time. The introduction of the slave-trade showed a clear divide in the opinion. The thought process at that time has drastically impacted the black community to present. The Declaration of Independence states all individuals are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but does not explain the start dates are different for separate races. Strongly due to slavery and the consequences thereof, which include lack of education and unsupported financial stability have impacted black livelihood for over the past 200 years and also prove that the rights in this document were not meant for all races....
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...Thomas Jefferson was a fundamental source in writing the Declaration of Independence. "Jefferson was influential as an advocate of democracy in the early years of the United States . . . " (Herold 19). He wrote the Declaration of Independence to address the King of Britain, the colonists, and the people because the rights of the people were being threatened by the very government that was meant to protect them. Jefferson began the document by stating his purpose: to explain why the Americas wanted to separate from Great Britain. Following the introduction, Jefferson focused a large portion of the Declaration of Independence in listing facts and reasons that served to reinforce the desire for separation. The first example that lead to my conclusion...
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...Impendence, the Declaration of Independence etc. influences the understanding of the US today. America has been independence since 1776 and the idea of the US has followed it the whole way through until now and definitely the way forward. I have always seen The US as a great country, a superpower which always stands in the front of their beliefs and the worlds. The US is in one way the centre of the world and always has the leading part. I have never seen the US as a country far away from my own, Denmark, but the culture is a total difference anyway. The history of the US has influenced the understanding of the US in every way; in values and in beliefs. The whole concept in how and what the Americans aims at can you find in a document adopted by Congress on July 4, 1776. The declaration of Independence have sat the goal for this nation, Gods Nation, and marked every important speech, speaker and every American. “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) The declaration of Independence sets the standard in the very beginning of text. The document contented many of the ideas that separated the US and the other colonies from England and thus began the process of creating the US, a free country. Religion or freedom of religion was a core idea in the declaration. The declaration wrote and...
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...consent of the governed”.In the Quote,Jefferson is explaining that,the power of the Government is being held by the same people,and to secure the rights we want,we have different people who are not part of the Government that can help us to have the rights that is best for our country. The argument in this essay will be about Civil Disobedience,now Civil Disobedience is the refusal to comply with certain laws or to pay taxes and fines,as a peaceful form of political protest.This essay will include great examples about Civil Disobedience such as,”The Letter From Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King,”The Declaration...
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... Within these global forces, the war can also be a consequence of the competition between British and French colonists. Tensions between the British and French in America had been rising for some time, as each side wanted to expand their territory. After a year and a half of undeclared war, the French and the English formally declared war in May 1756. For the first three years of the war, the outnumbered French dominated the battlefield, completely defeating the English in battles at Fort Oswego and Ticonderoga. After the French and Indian War, it began to become apparent that America and Britain were developing differently; culturally and socially, and the war exposed and worsened the major differences between British and American goals. Inspired in part by the American Revolution, and by the Enlightenment philosophers, the Declaration was a core statement of the values of the French Revolution and had a major impact on the development of freedom and democracy, in Europe and...
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...Panel #2 Overview of the Declaration of Independence Basically, the Declaration of Indepence made the colonists independent from Great Britain. The 13 American colonies would then become independent sovereign states. Instead, they became the United States of America. It was composed of three components that were important: the first part introduces the reasons it was created and explains the colonists' beliefs about the purpose of government, the second part was complaints against the actions of King George III, which they believed that it violated rights of the government, and the third part was about them declaring the U.S. an independent nation and relationship with other nations. Panel #3 Popular Sovereignty The first principle of popular sovereignty underlies the entire Declaration of Independence. It begins with the huge "We the People". Unlike most of world history and governments of the time, the Americans proclaimed that the people were sovereign, not King or Parliament. Popular sovereignty comes from natural rights, granted by "the Creator". As a consequence, no legitimate government may exist without the "consent of the governed". Panel #4 Social Contract The declaration of indepence reflects the principle of social contract because "Whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government". Thomas Jefferson was explaining that if the government...
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...related to African American slaves in this time frame. Slaves and the Courts, 1740-1860 According to Lubert (2010) Slavery has been the great moral failing of the American Revolution… a movement that was based on the self-evident truth that all men were created equal. The founding fathers believed that slavery was in fact an embarrassing contradiction that violated everything the American Revolution stood for (Lubert, 2010.). Even though documents such as the Declaration of Independence existed slavery was widely practiced and legally acceptable. Nearly twenty years after the Declaration of Independence was written. Fugitive slave law was introduced in the United States. The fugitive slave law was known as the “Fugitive Slave Act”. This act made it illegal for individuals to interfere with the attainment of fugitive slaves…. "No person held to labor or service in one State under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such labor or service, but shall...
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...March 5,2013 Mr. Miller By Veronica Martinez In regards to the numerous successful Revolutions that have occurred, they all share in common a broad general pattern, causes and characteristics. The American Revolution to a certain extent aligned with this broad pattern and had some identical causes and characteristics. In regards to the preliminary and advanced symptoms of revolutions, the American Revolution exhibited characteristics of discontent and the creation of mobs that was in response to taxes imposed upon them by the British government. The steps that followed although displaying characteristics and causes that identify with revolutions, digresses from the general pattern. The Declaration of Independence, Battle of Saratoga and Siege of Yorktown though somewhat associating themselves with their respective step within the broad pattern, for best part does not fit in with the overall pathology. The American Revolution displayed that certain stages matched with the broad general pattern and throughout its duration exhibited characteristics and causes normally attributed to revolutions. Other parts of the Revolution however tended to deviate from the generally accepted pattern. As a prelude before the Revolution itself, there were already preliminary symptoms of unrest within America that followed the first step in the general pattern of revolutions. Prior to the first shots at Lexington and Concord...
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...everything, the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. This story by Rush Limbaugh Senior excellently describes the immense sacrifices people were willing to make to ensure that we have a nation free from oppression. One supporter of Independence was offered the release of his two sons from serving the militia in exchange for his support of the King; this offer was refused. Everyone who signed this Declaration knew they were risking their fortunes and future, homes were burned, and people were chastised for their support of a independent American nation. These signers were not pure as new fallen snow, but they had virtue, and supported morality; they knew what could happen when faith is taken from the masses, and given to a few, who have uncontrolled power. Our system of government is superb - this is what makes America an exceptional nation - we -are exceptional. Our values support individual freedoms, not a king, but the -people rule. These values are based on biblical principles, -not religious support, but support of freedom from oppression, as expressed from before the time of Cicero, to present. Americans' -must believe that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are worth fighting for. We -cannot give up, -the progressives -never gave up, the money stealers know the story; us "useful idiots" choose to ignore the story, which the many good representatives will continue to express, because they also know the true consequences of allowing others to take control;...
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...The United States Constitution is the single most important document in American history. It was inscribed in a time period where the people wanted something that was written in a way that showed what we stood for and what we aspired to become without fear of persecution. The Constitution was carefully thought-out through the process of documents that came before it impacting how the country would evolve. These documents and events are as follows; Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Federalists Papers. These different pieces were part of the puzzle that was made on the ideas of making a great new country where all were welcomed. In 1215 the beginning of the new ideals were set in motion. The purpose of the Magna Carta was to force King John of England to sign a document stating that his power would be reduced, thereby giving some of the power towards forming the first parliament. This became the building blocks for the English citizen’s rights. The Magna Carta consisted of 37 different laws that limited the King’s power by requiring written permission before making rules for the people. This document was first written by Archbishop Stephen Langton and the most powerful Barons of England and was originally called the ‘Articles of the Barons’. Five days later on June 15, 1215, they gave a formal royal grant and based on the agreements made, the name of the document was called the Magna Carta. (lordsandladies.org, 2014) ...
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...Abstract The journey of the thirteen former British Colonies toward a lasting union of Independent Sovereign States had officially begun with the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Fifty-six men, appointed by their fellow citizens of each Colony, meeting in Congress assembled, determined that the only logical course of action by which they could throw off the strong hold of tyranny was to declare the independence and sovereignty of the individual colonies, and join together in a partnership, for their common defense, the security of their Liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense whatever. In so doing, these fifty-six men, on the authority of the good people of the colonies, signed the Declaration of Independence, mutually pledging to each other their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. The youngest of those men was a man named Edward Rutledge from South Carolina. Edward Rutledge Edward Rutledge was born in 1749 at or near Charleston, S.C., he was the 5th and youngest, son of Doctor John Rutledge, who emigrated from Ireland to South Carolina, about the year 1735. His mother was Sarah Hert, a lady of respectable family, and large fortune. At the age of twenty-seven, she became a widow with seven children. Her eldest son was John Rutledge, distinguished for his patriotic zeal during the revolution. He was placed under...
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