Abstract This is a report on Don Nardo's book "The Declaration of Independence: A Model for Individual Rights". The book presents the Declaration in both a historical and philosophical light, pointing out in various revisions of the Declaration, what elements have survived into present-day American moral beliefs, and which have been abandoned or altered. The paper also discusses the taxation and military occupation that instigated the American Revolution.
Abstract This paper will explain the basic ideas contained in the Declaration of Independence, the impact of the declaration upon the American War of Independence and the reasons for the appeal of the Declaration as a "radical document". These themes will be discussed and analyzed to better understand the premise of the Declaration of Independence and to see why and how it worked within the times it was written in.
Abstract This paper explains how the US Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution had different purposes and reasons for their respective creation. The paper discusses how the Declaration of Independence was more ideological and philosophical than the Constitution while the Constitution is detailed and lacks any kind of emotion or propagandistic qualities. The writer relates that he favors the Constitution's ideology over that of the Declaration of Independence, since the Declaration is fundamentally unsuitable for a government foundation while the Constitution is arguably one of the most successful, if not the most successful, political doctrine.
From the Paper "When analyzing the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, it is clear that there is a difference in ideology between the two. The two documents had different purposes and reasons for their respective creation. The Declaration of Independence is a protest against the tyranny of the British monarchy and a basis for revolution. The Constitution, however, does not allow for revolution and creates a liberal government for the purpose of stability. The Declaration was created in response to events that had oppressed the colonists and inspired them to overthrow their aggressors (Jayne)."
This paper analyzes the U.S. Declaration of Independence from the standpoint of word choice, grammatical structure and the progression of argument, all of which affect the meaning of this document.
Abstract This paper explains that Thomas Jefferson chose each word of the U.S. Declaration of Independence with care and committees revised it with prudence, giving the nation with a very carefully planned, meticulously executed statement, which is extremely effective in its brevity, clarity and logical progression. The author points out that the very first word, "when", implies that the statement to follow is inevitable; the framers of this declaration could have used the word "if" but this (1) would diminish the drive of the sentence by making the later "dissolving" of political bands uncertain and (2) would make the action of declaringindependence an option rather than a duty. The paper relates that the second paragraph showcases the simple logical progression of Thomas Jefferson's brilliance and serves as the moral and philosophical grounds for separation and for the colonists duty to throw off an oppressive government. Several quotations.
From the Paper ""To assume" has a double meaning in its usage in the above paragraph. To assume can mean to presuppose something (here it is the separate and equal station that the colonies felt that they had a right to enjoy). Also, the word assume means to take responsibility upon one's self. It is a statement directed toward the colonies' rights to enjoy a separate and equal status, and their willingness, even eagerness to take on whatever responsibility that may entail. If the Declaration of Independence is to be viewed from the vantage that it was written, then it would be appropriate to assume that the Nature's God referred to in this passage is, in fact, the deist God. The very fact that the word Nature comes before Nature's God suggests the subordinate role of God in the everyday world."
Abstract This paper examines the U.S.'s Declaration of Independence. Through a rhetorical analysis, the paper studies what the Declaration sets out to accomplish and how it does this. The paper also looks at political rhetoric and types of persuasion used in a document. The paper concludes with a discussion of the concept of ethos and the idea of logos, as it pertains to the Declaration of Independence.
From the Paper "The Declaration of Independence is a word document by Thomas Jefferson that exhibits all three types of rhetorical persuasion. The three main types of persuasion that a person can use when ..."
Abstract This paper explains the similarities and differences between the Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man, showing the emphasis in that document for liberty, equality and fraternity. It looks at the different purposes of the American and the French revolutions.
From the Paper "The French Revolution was basically to end political injustice from within while the American Revolution focused on obtaining freedom from the original mother country ..."
Tags:Declaration of Independence, Declaration of the Rights of Man, The Third Estate, loyalists, Washington, Jefferson, Robespierre
This paper traces some of the historical steps that led to the words in the Declaration of Independence: ?We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, ? .?
Abstract This paper points out that the idea of democracy in the the Declaration of Independence wasn?t new; ancient Greece had been ruled by a modified form of democracy that gave the right to vote to the upper echelons of male citizens. The paper explains that the ideas upon which the Declaration of Independence began with discoveries in science that revealed that our physical world was governed by predictable rules, by cause and effect. The author believes that John Locke had the most profound effect on the thinking of the men who would eventually shape the Constitution of the United States.
From the Paper "In reports of the events leading up to the American Revolution, the King of England is often depicted as a dictator who pronounced law as he saw fit based on his absolute power. However, the notion of a monarch with absolute power was not the standard for most of European history. The agreement signed after the Norman victory in 1066 required that the King share some of his power with representatives from the nobility. The idea that kings ruled by divine right was put forth by Jean Bodin in 1576 and embraced by James I of England. Oliver Cromwell embraced the idea and dissolved the Parliament, which although not a true democracy, provided some checks and balances for the ruler."
Abstract The paper analyzes the importance of John Locke's philosophy on the American Declaration of Independence of 1776. The paper examines various segments of Locke's "The Second Treatise of Civil Government" and shows how the textual language within the Declaration of Independence reflects his philosophy. The paper discusses the historical proof that Locke was not merely a secondary influence on the document but that he was a main philosophical component of the birth of the American republican ideology.
From the Paper "The first philosophical basis of the Declaration of Independence was found upon Enlightenment philosophers, such as John Locke. In many ways, the development for a new phase of human freedom was being known through such terms as "natural rights", which were based on new perspectives about Nature and the way that human beings interrelated within a government prospectus. Although some may argue that Locke played a minor part in the many influences on the document, it is apparent that his philosophy is paramount to the anti-monarchical disposition of the Continental Congress. The dictates of new governing principle relied on the importance of human liberty for all, not simply the few that controlled government."
Abstract This paper will discuss the range of complaints that the colonies had under the proposals projected in the writings of Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence addresses the colonist's grievances against the British Crown prior to 1776. Amongst these complaints were tax, trade, and mercantilism. In the advent of such a Declaration, we must ask: were the colonists represented properly with this range of ideas
Abstract The paper relates that the US Declaration of Independence can be considered the first statement of the values and legal structure for the new nation. The paper discusses the ideas the document is based on and the events that led up to the actual writing of the Declaration.
From the Paper "The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Second Continental Congress in 1776 and can be considered the first statement of the values and legal structure for the new nation. The first draft was written by Thomas Jefferson, after which ideas were incorporated from John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. The document was adopted on July 4 to usher in a new political age. The document was written at the request of the Second Continental Congress and expressed several political ideas than current in the colonies. These ideas had been expressed by others in a different form, but they were now brought together by Jefferson in a final statement of independence from England. Garry Wills in the title of his book Inventing America characterizes the nature of this process, a process of invention that helped produce the mechanism of the new government."
Abstract The paper relates that "Declaration of Independence: A Study in the History of Political Ideas" by Carl L. Becker is unique in that it focuses the reader's attention on the document itself rather than its its historical and political origins. The paper discusses Becker's theme that the Declaration is a direct reflection of Jefferson's personal political philosophy and literary skill. The paper also examines the strengths and weaknesses of this book and compares it to other books and articles on this topic. An annotated bibliography is included with the paper.
From the Paper "Becker's eminent background as an historian, his analytical viewpoint, and his purpose for writing this book are evident in every chapter as he thoroughly analyzes the historical and philosophical antecedents of the Declaration of Independence, first from a natural rights perspective and then from a British Empire perspective. After discussing these influences he proceeds to explain the drafting process Jefferson engaged in, which produced a document of exceptionally high literary quality. In the final chapter, Becker examines the philosophy of the Declaration of Independence in the Nineteenth Century and how it was perceived and understood by succeeding generations. (Becker 1991)"
Abstract A discussion about how the abstractions in the Declaration of Independence have become the foundations of American society and helped to shape the "American Identity."
From the Paper "There are many abstractions in the Declaration of Independence. These abstractions such as: rights, freedom, liberty and happiness have become the foundations of American society and have helped to shape the "American Identity." Power, another abstraction that reoccurs in all the major parts of the Declaration of Independence plays an equally important role in shaping "America identity." One forgets the abstraction of power, because it appears in relation to other institutions: the legislature, the King, the earth, and the military. The abstraction of power sets the tone of the Declaration, and shapes the colonists conception of government and society. Power in the Declaration of Independence flows from distinct bodies within society such as the King, the legislature, the military, and the colonists."
Abstract The author believes that one of the ideas most expounded by John Locke was his belief that all men have been created free and equal by God. The paper points out that Locke said that God gave man "certain rights that shall not be taken away from him, those rights being life, liberty, health and possessions; but, in the "Declaration of Independence", the pursuit of happiness is mentioned instead of possessions. The author concludes that men tend to remain passive in times when action is necessary on the assumption that someone else will instigate a change. Table presentations.
From the Paper "Men give their consent to be governed: therefore, the true power of the government is derived from the consent of the governed, as no people can be suppressed unwillingly for too long a time when freedom stirs in their souls. Once a man enters into a united political society, thereby submitting himself to the power, which he and his fellow citizens have bestowed upon his government; he is bound by obligation to uphold the laws that have been established by the government for the benefit of the community."
Abstract This paper provides a detailed account of the effect of the Declaration of Independence over the Thirteen Colonies later known as the Thirteen States of America.
Abstract This paper looks at how the Declaration of Independence owes much of its power to the rhetorical devices Jefferson so carefully included in the document and the rest of its power to the writer himself. It shows how Jefferson was a learned and complicated man and how this document survives as a testament to his great talent.
From the Paper "Jefferson wrote the Constitution using several common rhetorical devices, which helped give the document its power and long life. Jefferson uses deductive syllogism throughout the document to introduce the problem, (freedom from Great Britain), logically and rationally list the many reasons the Colonists have for breaking from England, and form a conclusion or solution to the problem. He lists the problems inductively, or in small portions, until they add up to a sum that is too difficult to dispute. The first sentence, "When in the course of human events," opens up the problem succinctly and forcefully, using a strong and valuable verb, "separation." The American people must separate from England. Why? Jefferson goes on to use facts, (the long list of "wrongs" inflicted on America by King George and Great Britain), and lists the value the American people will receive, ("life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness")."
