Copy of Declaration of Independence

Government and Politics Foundational Documents Name___Kaleb Carpenter______________________________ Per__B7__________ Date_____8/26/2024______________ Declaration of Independence Summary: The Declaration of Independence was approved by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, proclaiming the separation of the thirteen British colonies in North America from the British government. lt was based on a resolution proposed by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia that "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be Free and independent States." The Declaration of Independence announced to the world the colonies' intentions of breaking away from Britain and explained the colonies' actions to gain support. In Congress, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, 1.Who is the intended audience? Why? The British Crown and Parliament, as well as the inhabitants of the American colonies, other Preamble: countries, and future generations, are among the When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one intended audiences of the Declaration of people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them Independence. This broad audience was created to with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the convey the colonies' complaints about British separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of control and support their choice to seek Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind independence. In addition to outlining the rights requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the and governance ideals that future citizens should separation. comprehend and respect, the manifesto seeks to win over friends on a national and worldwide level. 2. Explain the phrase, “dissolve the political bands”. Breaking the official and legal tie between the colonies and the British government is what is meant by the phrase "dissolve the political bands." It represents the colonies' attempt to become independent of Britain and their rejection of its sovereignty. By completely severing their links and political commitments to the British Crown, they are demonstrating their independence from other powers and asserting their right to self-govern. 3. What is the purpose of this preamble? The preamble's goal is to lay the philosophical groundwork for the Declaration. The justification for declaring independence is given, along with the explanation that governments are established to uphold the fundamental human rights of everyone, including the pursuit of happiness, life, and liberty. Furthermore, it establishes a tone of respect and recognizes the significance of explaining the rationale behind such a significant choice in order to win over supporters and give the colonies' acts legitimacy. Declaration of Natural Rights (Social Contract): “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.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.” 4. What is the purpose of government? According to the Declaration of Independence, the role of government is to protect people's inalienable rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Governments are established to uphold these rights and function with the permission of the governed, indicating that serving the people and ensuring their safety and well-being is their main duty. 5. Where does power or legitimacy of government come from? The Declaration states that the consent of the governed confers authority and legitimacy on the government. According to this theory, the consent and support of the people it rules over gives a government its legitimacy. The people have the right to change or abolish a government if it is not upholding the rights of its citizens. 6. What was Jefferson referring to when he spoke of “light and transient causes”? Cite modern day examples. Jefferson defined "light and transient causes" as minor complaints or passing problems that shouldn't lead to a drastic action, such as toppling an established government. He underlined that citizens shouldn't abruptly alter their government for unimportant reasons. Alternatively, unless there is a consistent pattern of abuse, they should suffer certain hardships. Examples from today's world could be political conflicts, policy modifications, or local government disputes that, although annoying, don't justify a total shutdown of the government, like demonstrations against particular laws that are unpopular but don't violate fundamental rights. List of Grievances: ....”He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people. He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures. For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury: He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people....” 6. Explain why or why not you feel these complaints constitute a violation of the social contract? These complaints clearly point to breaches in the social contract that existed between the colonies and the British government. According to the social compact, a government is obligated to uphold the welfare and rights of its people. The colonists cited specific transgressions as examples of the government's failure to fulfill its obligations under the agreement, including the imposition of taxes without consent, the dissolution of legislative bodies, and the use of standing armies during times of peace. The colonies' decision to pursue independence is justified by this deliberate denial of representation and rights, which amounts to a breach of confidence. Make a defensible claim as to whether or not the Declaration of Independence creates a balance between governmental power and individual rights. Proposition: The Declaration of Independence establishes a precarious equilibrium between the authority of the state and the rights of the individual. Provide a line of reasoning. Argument: The states that governments are a necessity for keeping order and preserving our rights assemble the declaration. These are not the actions of those who have been authorized to carry them out by factions, they possess their power because it was given voluntarily with the consent of individuals and is incalculably restricted due to this fact establish the rights of men. Each draft had stated, after the famous opening: “...the right of the people to alter or abolish it....” The Declaration, by reference to fundamental rights, underlines that government is not an end in itself but a means of safeguarding the natural and inherent dignity that we possess. Individual freedoms enhancement. Finding this balance is important: it respects that, at the end of the day, there must be some sense of governmental authority With the strong caveat that this authority must be wielded only in support of the welfare and rights of its people. A framework like this is necessary for democratic government and still sires the principles of political systems today.