“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. The Declaration of Independence begins with the reason for the colonists’ separation from the Monarchy a separation stated to be entitled by “the Laws of Nature and nature’s God.” (Capitalization and lack of capitalization is original.) It continues: When unalienable was replaced with inalienable it diminished the original intention of personal rights among which are “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Most believe there is no real difference between the two words. I said un-alienable, not in-alienable rights. The Declaration of Independence, signed during the midst of the American Revolution in 1776, was not just a statement of grievances against the British monarchy but also a declaration of freedom from it, citing unalienable rights of self-governance. This July 4th Americans celebrated their 237 th Independence Day.
#Declaration of independence definition free#
The most important and dramatic statement comes near the end: “That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States.” It declares a complete break with Britain and its King and claims the powers of an independent country.How the Declaration of Independence got Hijacked by: Susan Boskey Posted on: July 08, 2013Įditor’s Note: Boskey discusses the difference between ‘unalienable’ and ‘inalienable’ rights. Join our fight, reads the subtext, and you join humankind’s fight against tyranny. Congress cast “the causes which impel them to separation” in universal terms for an international audience.
The list of 27 complaints against King George III constitute the proof of the right to rebellion. The preamble sought to inspire and unite them through the vision of a better life. Separation from the mother country threatened their sense of security, economic stability, and identity. These are the lines contemporary Americans know best: “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.” These stirring words were designed to convince Americans to put their lives on the line for the cause. It needed to motivate foreign allies to join the fight. It had just defied the most powerful nation on Earth. In other words, “to declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” Congress had to prove the legitimacy of its cause. Its goals were to rally the troops, win foreign allies, and to announce the creation of a new country. The introductory sentence states the Declaration’s main purpose, to explain the colonists’ right to revolution. The Declaration of Independence was designed for multiple audiences: the King, the colonists, and the world. Courtesy of Lafayette College Art Collection Easton, Pennsylvania Parts of the statue were reportedly melted down and used for bullets. Enlarge Pulling down the Statue of King George IIIĪfter a public reading of the Declaration of Independence at Bowling Green, on July 9, 1776, New Yorkers pulled down the statue of King George III.
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