Comparing The Declaration Of Independence And The Social Contract

Jean Jacques Rousseau’s “The Social Contract” and the Declaration of Independence might at first appear as two heavily similar literary works. But in fact, the United States, Thomas Jefferson specifically, inferred heavily to Mr. Rousseau’s works in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. These similarities are very evident as both documents demonstrate that without the consent of the governed there is to be no government. The question, however, is what specifically did Mr. Rousseau’s writings influence on the Declaration of Independence and what were the specific instances where the Declaration displayed influence.
The Declaration of Independence was what firmly announced the American colonies intentions to separate from the British Empire and also to state grievances as to justify the division. Though the war had started prior to the signing and ratification of the Declaration by the colonies, this was just as much strategic as it was symbolic. In conjunction with the victory at the Battle of Saratoga the declaration of independence tipped the scales of French opinion and officially brought the colonies aid in the war. …show more content…
The Social Contract argues for the greater good in terms of the society and it displays this as describing the governed as the sovereign, a singular entity that acts, in theory for the greater good. While it still argues for civil liberties it states that it may take precedence over that of physical liberties. The Declaration of Independence draws from the same idea while placing more emphasis on the individual. Where both are in clear agreeance is that government may only exist by the consent of the governed. Both of these works still maintain influence today and are the defining literatures in how America became what it is