The Declaration of Independence, one of the most influential documents in United States history, was published in July of 1776, and was specifically ratified on July 4th. It was drafted by Thomas Jefferson and in the text stated that the thirteen colonies were declaring their freedom and thus going to build a nation founded on “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” This document stated that the cutting of ties by the thirteen colonies from Great Britain was due to the newly imposed taxes on tea and stamps as well as the Quartering Act. The Quartering Act was the mandatory housing of British Troops within the thirteen colonies which included providing roof, food, and whatever other accommodations the troops required. The Declaration
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This new nation, as it implied in the Declaration by saying that the state would be governed by the people and for the people, was to be founded upon democracy. The Declaration of Independence was the first written and formal document which both declared freedom from a state and proclaimed the right of them to choose their own government. This document paved the way for much of modern democracy and was a source of influence for many other states all around the globe. One of the most famous events that was influenced by this document as well as the American Revolutionary War was the French Revolution. When the revolution to overthrow the monarchy began, the people coined the phrase “liberte egalite fraternite” which translated to liberty, equality, and fraternity or brotherhood. In this familiar phrase one can see the influence that the Declaration of Independence had on the people of France and how it paved the way for the citizens to rise up. Additionally, the declaration has influenced many movements within the United States such as the Civil War and the Civil Rights …show more content…
Both of these two values have been integral to the way I have viewed the world around me and how I see the different movements across the globe. Specifically, when looking at movements such as Black Lives Matter, it can be plainly seen that the people within the movement are fighting for their rights to equality in the many facets of life. I think that the declaration is so important to me, because it has persisted through so many years of so many different changes in social, political, and technological climates. The fact that the wording can be applied over so many years highlights the strengths of the document and democracy in its entirety. It is also something that I have looked at through the lens of what it meant in each period of change. The main phrase, “all men are created equal” is one of the more famous and most influential and when considering the time period, it really meant that all white men were created equally and no one else. Then when looking at another period of change and resistance, the time of the Civil War, Lincoln used this phrase to state that all men, regardless of the color of their skin, were crated equally. Years later it was used again during the Women’s Suffrage and Civil Rights movements. Today it can still be seen, used in Black Lives Matter, Feminist movements as well as in revolutions throughout the world. Ultimately, the
This new nation, as it implied in the Declaration by saying that the state would be governed by the people and for the people, was to be founded upon democracy. The Declaration of Independence was the first written and formal document which both declared freedom from a state and proclaimed the right of them to choose their own government. This document paved the way for much of modern democracy and was a source of influence for many other states all around the globe. One of the most famous events that was influenced by this document as well as the American Revolutionary War was the French Revolution. When the revolution to overthrow the monarchy began, the people coined the phrase “liberte egalite fraternite” which translated to liberty, equality, and fraternity or brotherhood. In this familiar phrase one can see the influence that the Declaration of Independence had on the people of France and how it paved the way for the citizens to rise up. Additionally, the declaration has influenced many movements within the United States such as the Civil War and the Civil Rights …show more content…
Both of these two values have been integral to the way I have viewed the world around me and how I see the different movements across the globe. Specifically, when looking at movements such as Black Lives Matter, it can be plainly seen that the people within the movement are fighting for their rights to equality in the many facets of life. I think that the declaration is so important to me, because it has persisted through so many years of so many different changes in social, political, and technological climates. The fact that the wording can be applied over so many years highlights the strengths of the document and democracy in its entirety. It is also something that I have looked at through the lens of what it meant in each period of change. The main phrase, “all men are created equal” is one of the more famous and most influential and when considering the time period, it really meant that all white men were created equally and no one else. Then when looking at another period of change and resistance, the time of the Civil War, Lincoln used this phrase to state that all men, regardless of the color of their skin, were crated equally. Years later it was used again during the Women’s Suffrage and Civil Rights movements. Today it can still be seen, used in Black Lives Matter, Feminist movements as well as in revolutions throughout the world. Ultimately, the