In 46 Pages author Scott Liell is able to poignantly illustrate the colonies metamorphosis from a dependent arm of the English Empire to an independent country, the catalyst for which was Thomas Paine's Common Sense. Liell is able to not only articulate the turning point of the American consensus towards independence, but he also very intelligibly depicts the sentiments of all facets of colonial dogma and the torrential effect that Common Sense had in loosening the cement that held those beliefs. Using fantastic examples of the opinions of Tories, Whigs, and those ambivalent towards independence, Liell efficiently and eloquently establishes that, although turning the populous mentality towards independence happened almost overnight, it did not happen easily. Paine, an unsuspecting hero from a modest upbringing, was met with both fervent praise and grave dissension upon publishing what could accurately be referred to as his "master work." Never in the history of mankind has a singular document been so powerful to bring men to act for a cause, a cause they were, just prior to reading Common Sense, trepidatious and hesitant of. In 46 Pages few stones are left unturned leaving the reader with a comprehensive and complete understanding of one of the most important documents not only in American history, but in human history as well.…
In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of the United States, explains to his readers why the colonies chose to abolish Great Britain’s government. His goal is to inform the readers that the government has certain responsibilities to the governed and that the British failed to adhere to its responsibilities to its colonists. His second goal is to justify their actions by explaining why it was not considered treason. By establishing his credibility and appealing to ethos, pathos and logos, Jefferson successfully wrote an informative, impactful, and inspirational document.…
The Declaration of Independence marked a significant turning point in American history. It has been rendered a sacrosanct document, an amalgamate of the anti-British sentiments that impelled the revolution. The declaration postulated several revolutionary ideas, influenced by the period’s increasing philosophical emphasis on reason and logic. Indeed, the Enlightenment fostered many of the dogmas presented in the declaration, the most inviolable being the idea of man’s unalienable rights. The declaration radically altered all ideological spheres of America - a once colonial body was suddenly transformed into an open republic, gleaming with unfathomable possibility. The political, economic, and especially cultural spheres of America were restructured in many progressive ways - however, restructuring in a social ideological sphere was still hindered in the years succeeding the declaration.…
forever linked to one another. The Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776, written before the…
The Declaration of Independence drafted by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Second Continental Congress expresses the thirteen American colonies desire to disjoin from Great Britain. Chapter 4 of “After the Fact,” entitled Declaring Independence, presents factual viewpoints of historians as well as thorough examinations aroused from the possible confusions of the renowned document.…
Thomas Jefferson’s “Declaration of Independence” and Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” are texts that have a common denominator: the pursuit of liberty. Although both documents do not focus their context in the same historical moment, both have greatly influenced the history of the United States. Specifically, Jefferson’s purpose with the “Declaration of Independence” was to denounce the offenses suffered at the hands of Great Britain and to finally declare their absolute independence, sovereignty and liberty. On the other hand, Martin Luther King’s speech, “I Have a Dream” exhorts people to end the discrimination towards Negroes and finally, their freedom.…
“The Declaration of Independence” and “Common Sense” were both produced around the time of the American Revolution by Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine respectively. “The Declaration of Independence” was the document sent to Great Britain declaring the thirteen colonies free from British rule and kick starting the American Revolution, while “Common Sense” was a pamphlet released, at the beginning of the revolution to the citizens of the thirteen colonies demanding they fight for the just government they deserve. Due to the related topics and dates of publication both the works have similar ideas; however, the differing audience and purposes create differing tones.…
The Declaration of Independence. A document that not only shaped the government and the culture of the United States, but shaped the thinking of the entire world. Thomas Jefferson was asked by his committee to take on the job of writing the Declaration of Independence, and after some help from John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, the Declaration of Independence was sent to Congress. Congress ended up shortening the document by twenty-five percent, but Jefferson’s powerful words still remained. Consider the four key ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence; equality, unalienable rights, consent of the governed, and the right to alter or abolish government. Then write an essay which explains why three of these ideals are important to…
The Declaration of Sentiments was based off of the Declaration of Independence. It must be understood the Declaration was written by white landowning men for white landowning men. It entirely dismissed the rights of women or slaves. Nowhere in the document does it address any betterment of women or the lives of slaves. When the Declaration was written, slaves were considered to be property and not seen as people. They were not considered to be members of society. Women’s rights in America had yet to be formed. They were very much non-existent. Women were expected to care for the family and do nothing else. The Declaration does not include women and was not written for them. Women were considered to be far more inferior…
The declaration of independence talks about the struggle of injustice that the dictator, King George III showed to the settlers by not protecting their rights and due to that it lead the settlers to demand to create their own kind of government and dethrone him. The documents are about the citizens suffering due to oppression in rights. The Declaration of Independence argues how the colonies are suffering under the influence of the King due to his lack of concern. The Declaration of Sentiments on the other hand, talks about how women have so much inequality when it comes to the privileges of participating and representing their government like men. The Declaration of Sentiments highly emphasizes the distinction of how both genders are viewed and how women should not be deprived from many opportunities and rights that men are…
Question Sheet for the Declaration Activity (with answers) 1. Jefferson chose to begin the Declaration with the words, “The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America.” Do you feel this was necessary? Why or why not? Could the 13 colonies have declared independence if they were not unanimous? Why or why not? Answers will vary. Most students might note that it was necessary for Jefferson to prove that the Continental Congress presented a united front to the world in order to prove that independence was the true goal of the colonies. Others may state that since each state provided signers to the document, it was obvious that all thirteen colonies accepted it. As to the question of whether the 13 colonies could have declared independence if they weren’t unanimous, answers will vary. Most students might state that independence would be difficult without the support of all thirteen colonies, but some might say independence without consensus was still possible. For instance, colonies that objected could be absorbed into Canada or find a way to peacefully co-exist with those that seceded. 2. How does Jefferson explain the reason for a formal declaration of independence? Why do you think it was necessary for Jefferson to state the “causes which impel them to the separation”? Answers will vary. However, some students may note that other nations, such as France and the Netherlands, also had colonial interests in North America and may have been concerned if British colonists declared independence for groundless reasons. Also, because of Jefferson’s background as a lawyer, it might have also been true that he was building his case for independence before the world community, similar to what he might do if he were pleading a case before a jury. 3. Next, review the two sections of John Locke’s Two Treatises of Government. In your own words, how does Jefferson use Locke’s ideas in the preamble of the Declaration? Students will note similarities between…
Declaration of Independence, Only for Men?: A Comparison of Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence and Stanton’s Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions…
After 156 years, you would think that the issues brought up in the Declaration of Sentiments would have been resolved by this day, but unfortunately that is not the case. Since the dawn of capitalism, developing around the same time period the Declaration was written, it has become one of the most powerful (if not THE most powerful) economic structures in the world. It is no coincidence that this structure has become increasingly dependent on the destruction of women’s self-image, self-respect, and self-worth in order to sell more products. In the Declaration of Sentiments, one of the grievances listed recounts men’s continuing dominance over women’s self- respect. It reads as follows:…
In 1848, the Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions showcases the grievances of a woman’s position in her marriage. In the declaration, it states, “He has made her, if married, in the eye of the law, civilly dead. He has taken from her all right in property, even to the wages she earns.…
2. Many scholars consider this document vital in swinging public opinion toward independence in early 1776. Why do you think it was so effective in this regard?…