Declaration of independence
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Expert Information
On June 7, 1776, Virginian Richard Henry Lee, representing his colony in the Continental Congress, proposed, "That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States . . .and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved." Amidst heated debate, the Congress pondered the Lee Resolution; meanwhile, a committee was established to write America's Declaration of Independence for world consumption, in the event that Lee's platform would be adopted.
In the summer pf 1776, Delegates from each of the 13 colonies were sent to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to meet up as the Second Continental Congress.
Author
The Second Continental Congress was responsible for declaring independence from Great Britain. It is important to note the influence that Thomas Paine’s Common Sense had on the delegates, and that John Adams and Richard Henry Lee were the biggest proponents of the independence movement. Five men were appointed to the committee to write it--Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman—were well aware of the significance of their actions and the seriousness of what they were proposing. The first draft of the Declaration of Independence was written by Jefferson, who then passed it on to Adams and Franklin for their feedback. Once a third draft was prepared by the whole committee, the document was presented to the entire Continental Congress. On July 2, the Congress officially adopted the Lee Resolution, and after much debate, the Declaration of Independence was ratified on July 4, 1776. Within hours, copies of the declaration were printed and distributed to the officers of the Continental Army and entered into the official records. By July 9, all 13 of the colonies accepted the proposal of American independence, as stated in the declaration. The stage for complete rebellion against the British had been set. That Declaration of Independence became the cornerstone of the new American nation.
It may also be important to mention that fighting in the colonies had already begun. Lexington and Concord occurred in the spring of 1775, and George Washington had already forced the British to retreat from Boston in the spring of 1776.
On August 2, 1776, 56 delegates of the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence, including four of the original framers of the document and John Hancock of New Hampshire, who was the first to commit his signature to the revolutionary document. Interestingly, Livingston in the end declined to sign the declaration, hoping instead that the British government could come to a diplomatic, rather than military, solution to the problems it had with its 13 American colonies.
Prior Knowledge
The document itself is a straightforward piece, inspired by the political philosophies of John Locke and the ideals of a social contract between governments and their constituents. Although its claims of "despotic" rule by the British Crown and Parliament may seem heavy handed to many readers today, the declaration's assertion 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" became a primary foundation of American nationalism. The men who had the most input in this document borrowed language from John Locke and believed that government was a social contract.
Moreover, the assumption that governments that do not recognize such equality can be overthrown by their subjects inspired not only the American colonists in their successful bid for freedom, but has served—and continues to serve—as a precedent for anti-imperial independence movements throughout the world. Indeed, the document inspired leaders of the French and Mexican revolutions, as well as American abolitionists, civil rights activists, and feminists in their campaigns for social and political equality for all Americans.
Significance
The Declaration of Independence was remarkable for its lucid account of specific grievances the colonists had with the British government, including complaints about unfair taxation, dissolving local governmental bodies without cause, endemic corruption of judges and other officials of the Crown, forced harboring of troops, and trial without adequate cause or representation. Moreover, the colonists appealed to the cultural and ethnic ties they held with Britons, yet stressed their alienation from them; this demonstrated a shared background yet, through the experience of immigration and colonial exile, a new nationalism separate from the "mother country." In this regard, the declaration gives us a glimpse at a founding document of modern nationalism as well as democratic revolution. It inspired future revolutions and Americans continue to celebrate independence to this day.
On June 7, 1776, Virginian Richard Henry Lee, representing his colony in the Continental Congress, proposed, "That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States . . .and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved." Amidst heated debate, the Congress pondered the Lee Resolution; meanwhile, a committee was established to write America's Declaration of Independence for world consumption, in the event that Lee's platform would be adopted.
In the summer pf 1776, Delegates from each of the 13 colonies were sent to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to meet up as the Second Continental Congress.
Author
The Second Continental Congress was responsible for declaring independence from Great Britain. It is important to note the influence that Thomas Paine’s Common Sense had on the delegates, and that John Adams and Richard Henry Lee were the biggest proponents of the independence movement. Five men were appointed to the committee to write it--Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman—were well aware of the significance of their actions and the seriousness of what they were proposing. The first draft of the Declaration of Independence was written by Jefferson, who then passed it on to Adams and Franklin for their feedback. Once a third draft was prepared by the whole committee, the document was presented to the entire Continental Congress. On July 2, the Congress officially adopted the Lee Resolution, and after much debate, the Declaration of Independence was ratified on July 4, 1776. Within hours, copies of the declaration were printed and distributed to the officers of the Continental Army and entered into the official records. By July 9, all 13 of the colonies accepted the proposal of American independence, as stated in the declaration. The stage for complete rebellion against the British had been set. That Declaration of Independence became the cornerstone of the new American nation.
It may also be important to mention that fighting in the colonies had already begun. Lexington and Concord occurred in the spring of 1775, and George Washington had already forced the British to retreat from Boston in the spring of 1776.
On August 2, 1776, 56 delegates of the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence, including four of the original framers of the document and John Hancock of New Hampshire, who was the first to commit his signature to the revolutionary document. Interestingly, Livingston in the end declined to sign the declaration, hoping instead that the British government could come to a diplomatic, rather than military, solution to the problems it had with its 13 American colonies.
Prior Knowledge
The document itself is a straightforward piece, inspired by the political philosophies of John Locke and the ideals of a social contract between governments and their constituents. Although its claims of "despotic" rule by the British Crown and Parliament may seem heavy handed to many readers today, the declaration's assertion 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" became a primary foundation of American nationalism. The men who had the most input in this document borrowed language from John Locke and believed that government was a social contract.
Moreover, the assumption that governments that do not recognize such equality can be overthrown by their subjects inspired not only the American colonists in their successful bid for freedom, but has served—and continues to serve—as a precedent for anti-imperial independence movements throughout the world. Indeed, the document inspired leaders of the French and Mexican revolutions, as well as American abolitionists, civil rights activists, and feminists in their campaigns for social and political equality for all Americans.
Significance
The Declaration of Independence was remarkable for its lucid account of specific grievances the colonists had with the British government, including complaints about unfair taxation, dissolving local governmental bodies without cause, endemic corruption of judges and other officials of the Crown, forced harboring of troops, and trial without adequate cause or representation. Moreover, the colonists appealed to the cultural and ethnic ties they held with Britons, yet stressed their alienation from them; this demonstrated a shared background yet, through the experience of immigration and colonial exile, a new nationalism separate from the "mother country." In this regard, the declaration gives us a glimpse at a founding document of modern nationalism as well as democratic revolution. It inspired future revolutions and Americans continue to celebrate independence to this day.
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