The Purpose Of This Paper Is To Identify The Ideas That Shap

The Purpose Of This Paper Is To Identify The Ideas That Shaped The Dec

The purpose of this paper is to identify the ideas that shaped the Declaration of Independence. Specifically, you will research and describe the philosophy of government that shapes the Declaration of Independence. You will explore the influence of natural rights, contract theory, religious liberty, and limited government. At the end of this assignment, you should have a deeper understanding of the ideas that shaped the Declaration of Independence. Your paper must address the following 3 questions: 1) What were the main ideas that shaped the Declaration of Independence? 2) Based on the Eidsmoe reading, how important were biblical principles? 3) Based on McClellan’s discussion of the Declaration of Independence, which political ideas are not found in the Declaration of Independence? Turabian writing

Paper For Above instruction

The Declaration of Independence, crafted in 1776, stands as a monumental document embodying foundational political ideas rooted in Enlightenment philosophy and religious principles. This paper explores the core ideas that shaped the Declaration, the significance of biblical principles as outlined by Eidsmoe, and the political ideas conspicuously absent as discussed by McClellan.

Main Ideas That Shaped the Declaration of Independence

The primary ideas influencing the Declaration of Independence include natural rights, the social contract, the sovereignty of the people, and the purpose of government. Natural rights refer to the fundamental rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which are inalienable and serve as the basis for legitimate government authority. These ideas originate from the works of John Locke, who argued that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed and are instituted to secure these rights (Locke, 1689). The social contract concept emphasizes that individuals willingly surrender certain freedoms to a government that exists to protect their inherent rights. If a government becomes tyrannical and fails to serve its purpose, citizens have a right to alter or abolish it, a principle explicitly articulated in the Declaration (Jefferson, 1776). Furthermore, the Declaration asserts that governments derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed, emphasizing the importance of popular sovereignty.

The Influence of Biblical Principles, According to Eidsmoe

In Eidsmoe's interpretation, biblical principles profoundly influence the political ideas expressed in the Declaration of Independence. He posits that the recognition of inalienable rights reflects biblical notions of inherent dignity and the divine origin of human rights, recognizing humans as created in the image of God. Eidsmoe emphasizes that the concept of divine law underpins the belief that rights are not granted by governments but are bestowed by God, a view that aligns with biblical teachings on human dignity and divine authority (Eidsmoe, 1994). The notion of the government's role in protecting these rights echoes biblical commandments to uphold justice and righteousness. Moreover, the emphasis on religious liberty and the Creator as the source of rights underscores the Christian worldview that influenced American political thought during the Revolution. Biblical principles provided a moral foundation that justified citizens' right to oppose unjust rule and seek independence when their rights were violated (Eidsmoe, 1994).

Political Ideas Not Found in the Declaration of Independence, According to McClellan

McClellan discusses several political ideas that, although influential during the founding era, are notably absent from the Declaration of Independence. Chief among these is the idea of a constitutional government with a system of checks and balances, which was later embodied in the U.S. Constitution. The Declaration largely emphasizes natural rights and the right of revolution but does not explicitly articulate the structure of government or the separation of powers. Additionally, McClellan notes that the Declaration does not mention the importance of republicanism's detailed mechanisms or the rule of law, focusing instead on universal principles justifying independence. While the Declaration condemns tyranny and unjust government, it refrains from specifying the methods through which government should be organized or restrained, discussing instead the philosophical justification for independence based on inherent rights and grievances (McClellan, 2009). This omission highlights that the Declaration is primarily a declaration of principles, with the Constitution later serving as the framework for government based on those principles.

Conclusion

The ideas that shaped the Declaration of Independence are rooted in Enlightenment philosophy, biblical principles, and notions of natural rights and social contracts. Biblical principles, as emphasized by Eidsmoe, undergird the moral and divine basis for human rights and the legitimacy of government. However, certain political ideas, such as detailed governance structures and checks and balances, are absent from the Declaration, as McClellan points out. Understanding these influences and omissions provides a comprehensive picture of the philosophical foundations upon which the United States was founded.

References

• Locke, J. (1689). Two Treatises of Government. Awnsham Churchill.
• Jefferson, T. (1776). Declaration of Independence. National Archives.
• Eidsmoe, J. (1994). Christianity and the Constitution. Whitaker House.
• McClellan, B. (2009). The American Revolution: A Constitutional View. Regnery Publishing.
• Wood, G. S. (1992). The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage Books.
• Maier, P. (2010). American Scripture: The Declaration of Independence and the American Mind. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Bailyn, B. (1992). The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution. Harvard University Press.
• Paine, T. (1776). Common Sense. Project Gutenberg.
• Ellis, J. J. (1998). Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation. Knopf.
• Hofstadter, R. (1948). The American Political Tradition and the Men Who Made It. Vintage Books.