The Declaration of Independence is one of the most revered and foundational documents in American history. Drafted in 1776, it marked the formal assertion by the thirteen American colonies to sever political ties with the British Crown. Adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, it declared the colonies to be free and independent states, no longer under British rule.
Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, with input from John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston, the Declaration is both a legal proclamation and a philosophical treatise. It articulates the principles of natural rights, popular sovereignty, and government by consent, which have since served as cornerstones of democratic governance.
Structure and Content
The Declaration is composed of four main sections:
Preamble – Outlines the philosophical foundation of the document, asserting the inherent rights of individuals and the legitimacy of revolution when those rights are violated.
Declaration of Natural Rights – Proclaims that all men are created equal and endowed with unalienable rights including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It asserts that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed.
List of Grievances – Details 27 specific complaints against King George III, illustrating how British policies violated the colonies' rights.
Resolution of Independence – Declares that the colonies are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown and are henceforth free and independent states with full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, and establish commerce.
Philosophical Foundations
The Declaration draws heavily on Enlightenment principles, particularly the works of John Locke, emphasizing:
Natural law and natural rights
Social contract theory
The right of revolution
It asserts that legitimate governments exist to secure these rights and that when governments become destructive to this end, people have the right to alter or abolish them.
Impact and Legacy
The Declaration of Independence is a seminal text not only in American history but also in global democratic movements. It:
Established the ideological foundation for the American Revolution and the formation of the United States.
Inspired future documents such as the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Influenced international declarations, including the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
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Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, with input from John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston, the Declaration is both a legal proclamation and a philosophical treatise. It articulates the principles of natural rights, popular sovereignty, and government by consent, which have since served as cornerstones of democratic governance.
Structure and Content
The Declaration is composed of four main sections:
Preamble – Outlines the philosophical foundation of the document, asserting the inherent rights of individuals and the legitimacy of revolution when those rights are violated.
Declaration of Natural Rights – Proclaims that all men are created equal and endowed with unalienable rights including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It asserts that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed.
List of Grievances – Details 27 specific complaints against King George III, illustrating how British policies violated the colonies' rights.
Resolution of Independence – Declares that the colonies are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown and are henceforth free and independent states with full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, and establish commerce.
Philosophical Foundations
The Declaration draws heavily on Enlightenment principles, particularly the works of John Locke, emphasizing:
Natural law and natural rights
Social contract theory
The right of revolution
It asserts that legitimate governments exist to secure these rights and that when governments become destructive to this end, people have the right to alter or abolish them.
Impact and Legacy
The Declaration of Independence is a seminal text not only in American history but also in global democratic movements. It:
Established the ideological foundation for the American Revolution and the formation of the United States.
Inspired future documents such as the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Influenced international declarations, including the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is one of the most revered and foundational documents in American history. Drafted in 1776, it marked the formal assertion by the thirteen American colonies to sever political ties with the British Crown. Adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, it declared the colonies to be free and independent states, no longer under British rule.
Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, with input from John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston, the Declaration is both a legal proclamation and a philosophical treatise. It articulates the principles of natural rights, popular sovereignty, and government by consent, which have since served as cornerstones of democratic governance.
Structure and Content
The Declaration is composed of four main sections:
Preamble – Outlines the philosophical foundation of the document, asserting the inherent rights of individuals and the legitimacy of revolution when those rights are violated.
Declaration of Natural Rights – Proclaims that all men are created equal and endowed with unalienable rights including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It asserts that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed.
List of Grievances – Details 27 specific complaints against King George III, illustrating how British policies violated the colonies' rights.
Resolution of Independence – Declares that the colonies are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown and are henceforth free and independent states with full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, and establish commerce.
Philosophical Foundations
The Declaration draws heavily on Enlightenment principles, particularly the works of John Locke, emphasizing:
Natural law and natural rights
Social contract theory
The right of revolution
It asserts that legitimate governments exist to secure these rights and that when governments become destructive to this end, people have the right to alter or abolish them.
Impact and Legacy
The Declaration of Independence is a seminal text not only in American history but also in global democratic movements. It:
Established the ideological foundation for the American Revolution and the formation of the United States.
Inspired future documents such as the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Influenced international declarations, including the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, with input from John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston, the Declaration is both a legal proclamation and a philosophical treatise. It articulates the principles of natural rights, popular sovereignty, and government by consent, which have since served as cornerstones of democratic governance.
Structure and Content
The Declaration is composed of four main sections:
Preamble – Outlines the philosophical foundation of the document, asserting the inherent rights of individuals and the legitimacy of revolution when those rights are violated.
Declaration of Natural Rights – Proclaims that all men are created equal and endowed with unalienable rights including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It asserts that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed.
List of Grievances – Details 27 specific complaints against King George III, illustrating how British policies violated the colonies' rights.
Resolution of Independence – Declares that the colonies are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown and are henceforth free and independent states with full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, and establish commerce.
Philosophical Foundations
The Declaration draws heavily on Enlightenment principles, particularly the works of John Locke, emphasizing:
Natural law and natural rights
Social contract theory
The right of revolution
It asserts that legitimate governments exist to secure these rights and that when governments become destructive to this end, people have the right to alter or abolish them.
Impact and Legacy
The Declaration of Independence is a seminal text not only in American history but also in global democratic movements. It:
Established the ideological foundation for the American Revolution and the formation of the United States.
Inspired future documents such as the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Influenced international declarations, including the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
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Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940184731049 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Thomas Jefferson |
| Publication date: | 04/15/2025 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| File size: | 121 KB |
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