Every year on July 4th, Americans celebrate Independence Day. While companies have commercialized the day, by selling 4th of July cards, shirts with the American flag on them, and party items themed red, white, and blue, Americans are still reminded that brave actions that happened hundreds of years ago set the path for freedom from England’s rule. “The Second Continental Congress delegated the task of writing the Declaration of Independence to a committee of five men consisting of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston. Jefferson did the initial drafting, and the document was subsequently debated and revised by Congress as a whole. Congress voted to accept the document on July 4, 1776, and it was signed over the next several months.” (Declaration) Not only did the President of the Continental Congress, John Hancock, sign the document, but also other notable men such as Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. Representatives from each of the thirteen colonies signed the Declaration of Independence, making it one of the most recognizable and important documents in American history.
America’s desire to be free from England did not start with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, however it was the culmination of years of frustration and unfairness. When Jamestown, Virginia was founded in 1607, England’s hope was that the colonies in America would simply be an extension of the power of the crown. By the
American colonists should support the Declaration of Independence and the Patriots in the Revolutionary War. Great Britain was taxing the American colonists because of Britain’s great debt from the French and Indian War. Britain made the quartering act, the stamp act, townshend act, and the tea act. This is taxation without representation and it was unjust. The Patriots were angry and rightfully so. The King was making the colonists pay taxes on imported goods to decrease his country’s debt, the Patriots were outraged and wanted freedom.
The document signed July 4th, 1776 was the most important document ever written in the United States of America. The Declaration of Independence is exactly that, Thomas Jefferson along with the Committee of Five came together to write the document for freedom and independence. The Patriots were serious and as the colonies together would not back down to King George who betrayed and treated them with treason and abandonment. This document changed the entire nature of the revolution in more ways than one. Without the Declaration we would’ve been under British rule longer and would have suffered the treason and abuse of the King of England.
On July 4th 1774 (also know as Independence day or it‘s most common name The Forth of July) the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. The main purpose of this document was to present as an independent from Britain. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in three parts; The first part held the Introduction and beliefs and provided reasons the colonists were breaking away from Britain and describes their beliefs about government.
The US Constitution, The Declaration of Independence as well as the Letter to the Danbury Baptist are not just historical documents, but some of if not the most important documents of the history of our nation. Although, similar in many facets the intentions and the goal pursued by each highlight their individuality. The fact that the Declaration of Independence was the first to be implemented and signed is of significant importance as it set the pace and put in motion the proceeding documents that followed. Ultimately, my goal is to not only show their comparisons or where they may contrast, but to highlight what makes these documents profound and therefore still relative and valid even today.
On the night of July 4,1776, 200 copies of the Declaration of Independence were sent throughout the colonies. and the king saying that the Americans no longer wanted to be under British rule by the king. Instead, the thirteen British colonies wanted to come together to become a new country.
The declaration of Independence is what shaped and provided the freedom the United States of America has today. The Declaration of Independence today is looked at a symbol for America to reflect on as it paved the way for most of the rights we have today. This document has been fundamental to american history longer than any other text because it was the first text to use “The United States of America” and in a sense the Declaration was the birth certificate of the American nation. It embodied what came to be viewed as the most memorable and clear statement of the ideals on which America was founded: the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, while also the first successful declaration of independence in world history.
“We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” - The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence Each year in the United States of America, Americans honor and celebrate the courageous actions that our nation's founders took on July 4, 1776. In the late 1700’s, the British Parliament passed a number of laws that severely limited the freedoms of English colonists in America. According to the Library of Congress’ official website, “On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia in the Pennsylvania State House, approved the Declaration of Independence, severing the colonies' ties to the British Crown” (Loc.gov). Throughout our Nation's history, Americans
When the founding fathers wrote the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, they wrote them with the future in mind. In the newspaper and TV headlines today, many of the topics in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are even more relevant and hotly debated today than back then. But they each have a different purpose and handle many topics differently. This essay will compare the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution in three areas: style, structure, and tone, the topic of religion and government, and the issue of African slavery.
During the time leading up to July 4th, 1776, the colonies were ruled by King George III. Tyranny took hold of the colonies until Thomas Jefferson created The Declaration of Independence. In this document Jefferson stated numerous grievances against the king and depicted those hardships that the colonies experienced under his rule. Historians have come to debate whether these accusations were true or exaggerated. Many historical events demonstrate how these grievances had a negative effect on the colonies. Many of the colonies felt that laws were passed to benefit King George III without considering the needs of the colonies.
The American Revolution officially started with the Signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, but its causes began long before that date. Oppression from England due to their debt after the French and Indian War put a large pressure on the Colonies to pay in the form of over taxation. The various forms of taxation, the Acts put in place post- Boston Tea Party, and the Boston Massacre were some of the main driving forces that sparked the American Revolution.
The American Revolution promised all Americans independence. “It marked the first time in history that people fought for their independence in the name of certain universal principles such as rule of law, constitutional rights, and popular sovereignty.” (4) It was known as the war of independence by the colonies again Great Britain. There were many promises made in the American Revolution, such as, equality of all individuals. “ 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,” (1) A19 stated in the Declaration of Independence written in 1776.
In 1776, the Continental congress elected that Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston help write what many now know today to be The Declaration of Independence. The whole point of this document being written was to declare to Great Britain and King George III that the British colonies in North America would no longer be a part of Great Britain, but rather of their own free states, thus creating the United States of America and declaring independence from Great Britain. Because of what The Declaration of Independence stood for, it has been regarded highly throughout American
Back when America was still young and under the control of Great Britain, the colonists were being taxed in unfair ways and forced to quarter British soldiers. The Founding Fathers made the Declaration of Independence to tell Britain that they did not want to be taxed anymore, and wanted freedom from Britain's rule. Many would think that this was noble, but others would think that the Founding Fathers were being selfish when they created this document. However, this is not the case. The Founding Fathers were not selfish when they wrote the Declaration of Independence because even though they wanted Britain to leave them alone, which might seem like a selfish act, but they did it for the good of America.
The Declaration of Independence brought America its independence, and it self, as well as our constitution. The declaration of independence had many positive effects on America. The Declaration of Independence is the usual name of a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. This stated that the thirteen American colonies, called themselves the thirteen newly independent sovereign states, and that they were no longer a part of the British Empire. Instead of staying in the British Empire, they formed a new nation; the United States of America. Many people wanted independence, but John Adams really believe in and pushed for independence. America’s independence was approved on July 2, 1776. A committee of five had already wrote a draft of the declaration, so it was ready when Congress voted on independence. The term "Declaration of Independence" is not used in the document itself, but is explained and perceived.