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Write a Reflective Essay on what you feel is the premise of the Declaration of Independence. Consider the investigative terms of “Who, What, When, How, and Why” when writing your essay. Be specific in your writing…give examples where needed to illustrate your view. If needed you may use outside resources, but be sure to cite your sources in-text and list them on your reference page. Good luck in your writing and have fun with this assignment.

Additional Guidelines: You will need to do a title and reference page (if you use references) according to the guidelines in the APA 7th edition Manual. The Title page and Reference page DO NOT count towards the 300 to 500 word requirement. NO abstract or author’s note is needed for this assignment. Remember this is a formal paper free of spelling and grammatical errors. There is no right or wrong answer to this assignment. It is a reflection of what you think is the premise of the Declaration of Independence.

Paper For Above instruction

The Declaration of Independence, ratified on July 4, 1776, stands as a pivotal document in American history, embodying the ideological foundation upon which the United States was founded. Its premise primarily advocates for the inherent rights of individuals and the legitimacy of revolution against tyranny when those rights are systematically violated. To understand its core, we must explore the “Who, What, When, How, and Why” of this historic declaration.

The “Who” of the Declaration includes Thomas Jefferson, who authored most of the document, and the thirteen American colonies seeking independence from British rule. The colonists, represented collectively as “the people” and specifically as “the Representatives of the united States of America,” aimed to articulate their grievances and justify their rebellion (Jefferson, 1776). The “What” centers on the assertion that all men are created equal and endowed with unalienable rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The document emphasizes that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, and when a government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it.

The “When” refers to a period of escalating tensions and abuses by the British crown, including taxation without representation, denying trials by jury, and maintaining standing armies in peacetime. By 1776, these grievances had reached a boiling point, prompting the colonies to declare independence as a means of self-preservation and asserting their rights as separate entities.

The “How” involves the articulate framing of grievances and the declaration that the colonies are absolved from allegiance to the British Crown. This formal statement was intended to rally colonists and gain international recognition and support, especially from France. The document’s tone is assertive, emphasizing that their actions stem from a desire to secure rights, not merely to rebel without cause.

The “Why” is rooted in the desire for self-governance and the rejection of tyranny. The colonists believed that their rights as free men were being systematically denied and that such oppression justified their decision to seek independence. This premise underscores that legitimate government exists through the consent of the governed and that overthrowing a tyrannical ruler is justified to restore natural rights.

In conclusion, the premise of the Declaration of Independence is centered on the fundamental belief in individual rights, the legitimacy of overthrowing oppressive governments, and the moral right to self-determination. It articulates the colonists’ justification for breaking away from Britain as a necessary step to establish a government that truly protects the rights of its citizens, embodying the Enlightenment ideals that continue to influence democratic thought today.

References

• Jefferson, T. (1776). Declaration of Independence. National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration
• Becker, R. (2011). The Declaration of Independence: A history. Cambridge University Press.
• Maier, P. (1997). American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence. Alfred A. Knopf.
• Wood, G. S. (1992). The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage Books.
• Hart, D. (2003). The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution: The Key Texts and Their Interpretations. University of Georgia Press.
• Ellis, J. J. (1993). Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation. Knopf.
• Henning, W. W. (2004). The Declaration of Independence: An Interpretation. University of Nebraska Press.
• Armitage, D. (2007). The Declaration of Independence: A Global History. Harvard University Press.
• Hofstadter, R. (1992). The American Political Tradition and the Men Who Made It. Vintage.
• Bailyn, B. (1992). The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution. Harvard University Press.