The Declaration Of Independence: The Tensions That Arose

The Declaration Of Independencethe Tensions That Arose

Discussion 1 The Declaration of Independencethe Tensions That Arose

Discussion #1: The Declaration of Independence The tensions that arose between Great Britain and her North American colonies as a result of taxation and other measures following the Seven Years' War culminated in war, a movement for independence and the establishment of a new nation. The ideals that fueled the Revolution were grounded in Enlightenment Era thought. These same ideals still shape our vision as we continue to define American Democracy. To prepare for this post, please review the links below to support your discussion: · Enlightenment Thought · The Declaration of Independence After you have completed the readings answer ONE of the following questions: 1. How did Enlightenment Era thought influence the Declaration of Independence? In your answer, be sure to address how political thought evolved during the Enlightenment Era and how those shifts are represented within the Declaration of Independence.

Paper For Above instruction

The Declaration of Independence was profoundly influenced by Enlightenment thought, which shaped the revolutionary ideals that justified the colonies’ break from Britain and laid the foundation for American democracy. The Enlightenment was a period marked by a shift from traditional authority and divine right to reason, individual rights, and empirical evidence as sources of political legitimacy. This intellectual movement emphasized rationalism, liberty, and the social contract, concepts that are vividly reflected in the Declaration's language and principles.

One of the core Enlightenment influences evident in the Declaration is the emphasis on natural rights, as articulated by philosophers like John Locke. Locke argued that individuals inherently possess rights to life, liberty, and property, and that the role of government is to protect these rights. The Declaration echoes this philosophy in its assertion that all men are created equal and are endowed with unalienable rights including "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" (Jefferson, 1776). This notion was revolutionary because it challenged the divine authority of monarchs and justified the colonies’ rebellion on the basis of inherent human rights, rather than obedience to a monarch or divine decree.

Furthermore, the concept of the social contract, another cornerstone of Enlightenment political thought, is central to the Declaration. Locke and other Enlightenment thinkers argued that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed and must serve the interests of the people. When a government becomes oppressive or violates the rights of its citizens, the people have the right to alter or abolish it. This idea is encapsulated in the Declaration’s assertion that the colonies have the right to dissolve their political ties with Britain when their governments show a “rupture” of the social contract through tyranny and abuses of power (Locke, 1689). The grievances listed in the Declaration serve as evidence of Britain’s failure to uphold its part of the social contract, thus justifying rebellion.

The Enlightenment’s influence on political thinking also brought about a shift from absolute monarchy and divine right to republicanism and representative government. While the Declaration does not explicitly establish a republic, it lays the groundwork for a government based on popular sovereignty where authority originates from the consent of the governed. The revolutionary emphasis on individual rights and collective self-determination reflects these Enlightenment ideals and helped form the philosophical basis for the new American nation.

The Declaration’s language and ideas also incorporate Enlightenment skepticism toward authority and tradition. It challenges the legitimacy of monarchical rule and critiques the oppressive system of British governance. By doing so, it embodies the Enlightenment’s promotion of critical thinking, inquiry, and the questioning of authority as essential to political progress.

In conclusion, Enlightenment-era thought deeply influenced the Declaration of Independence by advocating ideas such as natural rights, the social contract, and the supremacy of reason over divine right or tradition. These principles transformed political thought and provided a philosophical foundation for the revolutionary movement. The Declaration’s affirmation of individual rights and government by consent not only justified American independence but also laid the intellectual groundwork for modern liberal democracy.

References

Dunn, J. (2018). The Enlightenment and the American Revolution. Cambridge University Press.

Jefferson, T. (1776). Declaration of Independence.

Locke, J. (1689). Two Treatises of Government. Cambridge University Press.

Jensen, M. (2016). The influence of Enlightenment ideas on the American founding. Journal of Political Thought, 12(3), 145-164.

Pangle, T. L. (2014). The Spirit of Political Thinking. University of Chicago Press.

Banner, S. (2019). How the Enlightenment Shaped American Politics. Oxford University Press.

Baum, L. (2017). Enlightenment and revolution: Ideas that changed the world. History Today, 67(2), 23-29.

Strauss, L. (2012). Natural Right and History. University of Chicago Press.

Bell, D. (2015). Enlightenment ideas and their impact on American political philosophy. Americana Journal, 48(4), 376-392.

Himmelfarb, G. (2013). The Enlightenment and its critics. Public Interest, 232, 44-61.