Concept Of Identity In The Declaration Of Independence

The Declaration of Independence Evolved a Unique American Identity
The Declaration of Independence has been one of the most universally renowned document throughout history. Not only had this document claimed freedom from an oppressive Great Britain, but also elaborated on controversial ideas such as a government whose power belongs to the governed, and the concept of natural human rights. The three topics of independence, democracy, and the concept of basic human rights that forged a unique American identity are illustrated through the Declaration of Independence. These themes separated the American colonists from the British monarchy literally and theoretically. For many years, the colonists had been juggling their own identity with that …show more content…
This government type had been nothing but an experiment within the colonies before the Declaration of Independence. The idea of representation separated the colonies from the British government. In Britain, there was no significant voice of the people other than the monarchy itself. The colonists identified with their right to have a say in government, and one historian noted, “The ‘revolutionary’ idea that circulated during this era was that government should derive its power from the people it rules and that only through the will of the people can a government make decisions.” This government type integrated the colonists opinions and rights to control their own government, which is still a viewpoint Americans identify with intense pride today. Americans became very unattracted to the concept of British enforcements and monopolization that only positively affected Britain, rather than the colonies. With these laws and regulations, the American people had no profound say in the government of their own colony. With the Declaration of Independence being ratified, the people of America where optimistic to a future of democracy and liberty. In a letter to James Madison, Thomas Jefferson explains the value of the principles instilled in the Declaration of Independence expressing, “But it is not to wound them that we wish to keep …show more content…
The most famous and recognizable statement throughout the document is the quotation stating, “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.” This passage’s fame is justified, because although the ideology that all men, no matter their nationality or race, are created equal by a higher power, was not accepted by all, it created the foundations of tolerance. This concept of human rights differs from other motives for identity because it portrayed to every citizen, slaves included. On the surface this statement is easily identifiable because it can relate to the British treating Americans as second class citizens, and also ordains to the natural rights that should be justifiably presented to every person. A historian once wrote, “These oft-repeated words represented a blow to tyranny at all times and places, one to which citizens, famous or otherwise, would continue to refer whenever they felt their liberties threatened.” This created a sense of identity within America, because it elaborated on rights that the British government did not administer to. But, if this quotation is looked at from both a historical