Argumentative Essay On The Declaration Of Independence

479 Words1 Page
bulb-icon

Recommended: Slavery in the colonial period

Although, the Declaration of Independence was a marker and a commencement of democracy, patriotism and a defined American culture, it has also been a very contentious document and is still a hot-topic of debate today. One reason, for its ambiguous support is due to it completely disregarding the issue of slavery that was highly present in the colonies at the time. The abolition of slavery was a fierce movement in many of the colonies while they drafted it. Many prominent religious groups actively worked to abolish slavery. Some abolitionists were not so caring and had more strategic and political ulterior motives. Lord Dunmore’s 1775 Slave Emancipation Proclamation was a prime example of this. It was an early attempt at eradicating slavery with futile results, due to it causing further mass disharmony and disagreement in the south. It was too radical for the time and historical context of events and being that it was the first large-scale attempt …show more content…

One of the most significant passages that was omitted in the final draft was one that supported the freedom of slaves. This was due to many economic and political factors. First, it attacked the cornerstone of the colonist’s economy and many feared that the fragile new country would not be able to survive without the plantation system and the cheap source of labor it provided. It was just on the frontier of gaining independence from Britain and could not afford to make such a large change. They needed the money for the war to battle against Britain during the American revolution. Additionally, it threatened the union that was required to build a nation and a federal government. If he Declaration of Independence was to contain a passage alluding to the freeing of slaves so early on it would lead to a war among each other. They needed to be a unified nation first before they could make changes like

Show More
Related

  • Summary Of The Declaration Of Independence

    1745 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Declaration of Independence refers to “our constitution”, in this respect they were referring to the Ancient British Constitution. The United States was expressing the fundamental aspects of British politics; among these were Classic Republicanism, Enlightenment Liberalism, and Protestant Christianity. In the Declaration they balanced all of these English traditions; expressing what they believed to be the true spirit of the British Constitution. As Edmund Burke would say, “(the Revolution) was carried out not to create new liberties but to preserve old ones” (Wood, p. 58). The main issue that the colonies had with the British following 1763, was England’s belief in the doctrine of

    Read More

  • The Growing Opposition to Slavery

    1222 Words  | 3 Pages

    Many Americans’ eyes were opened in 1776, when members of the Continental Congress drafted, signed, and published the famous document “The Declaration of Independence” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By declaring their independence, many of the colonists believed that slaves should have the same rights as the whites had. Abolition groups were formed, and the fight to end slavery begins.

    Read More

  • The Decleration Of Independance: The Declaration Of Independence

    636 Words  | 2 Pages

    There are many events that have happened in our history that have helped shape our country into what it is today. One of those events that helped change our country was the Decleration of Independance. The Declaration of Independence was written on July 4th, 1776. And this document was written so we were separate from England and so we weren’t under their power anymore. It meant that we were going to become a self-governing country. This was the very first big step we took to become our own country. And if we hadn’t have separated from England we wouldn’t be the country we are today. This helped build our nation and bring us closer together so we were united as one. This is when we realized we could be something bigger than what we were.

    Read More

  • Civil War Sectionalism

    1604 Words  | 4 Pages

    These differences were the seed of a sectional division that would plague the nation for a century. During the late seventeenth century, this fissure in the ideals of the colonies became apparent. Following the constant political irreverence from Britain, a majority of colonial representatives felt the need for independence. The Declaration of Independence was the document written to do this. It called for an abolition of slavery as well as freedom from British rule.

    Read More

  • Hypocrisy Essay

    1419 Words  | 3 Pages

    After years of constraint from Great Britain, America had finally had enough. No longer were Americans going to stand in silence and take what was thrown at them. One of the most impactful wars in American history occurred and for their victory, there was a huge celebration. For white males all over, freedom and equality had finally been granted but for everyone else like women and African Americans, practically no changes occurred. The Declaration of Independence potentially had the power to finally acknowledge that everyone is equal but instead dances around the idea by saying “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” (pg.1). This famous quote would lead someone to believe that there was actually true equality in the 18th century but that was far from the case. The continued slavery of African Americans and subjugation of women could have possibly stopped but hypocrisy as a nature was far too prominent in America at the

    Read More

  • Declaration Of Independence

    1583 Words  | 4 Pages

    Throughout history, only a few documents have changed the way we as a nation view politics and carry out our everyday lives. The document mentioned above was the Declaration of Independence. It changed the course of history because it granted America its freedom from Great Britain. Originally, there was a committee created to compose the document which consisted of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, Robert R. Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson. After conversing with one another, the committee decided that Thomas Jefferson would be the one to write it with the final approval coming from the other four. After writing it and receiving approval from the committee, Jefferson presented it to the House. What happened here was not what the committee originally expected. Not all of the delegates attending the convention approved the document. However, through compromising for the greater good of the “New Nation” and editing to accommodate everyone’s preferences, the document was finally approved by all thirteen colonies.

    Read More

  • Turning Point Of The Declaration Of Independence

    812 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Declaration of Independence was a major turning point for the fleeing people that sought out freedom. The people that were persecuted by the Mother Country, Great Britain. The lifestyle that was proposed by Britain was limiting and restricting the people that wanted freedom. Those people fled from the country to find a place where they practice their religion, and establish their own government. They wanted to be removed from the overpowering monarchy, which they once called home. But freedom was more important than tradition.This led to the thirteen colonies that formed a Congress that promoted the Declaration of Independence, and officially broke from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence is known as the most important document of history.

    Read More

  • Declaration Of Independence Essay

    792 Words  | 2 Pages

    To further convince the British Parliament of the seriousness of their intents, Congress added, “and for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of our divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our honor” (p.115) to ensure that Parliament knew that each member of Congress mutually agreed upon what was written in the document and that they would support each other in these matters and what would follow. Ideas from the Declaration of Independence are still prominent in America today. Many of the statements found in the document, like “all men are created equal” (p.112), are most often used in human rights arguments among minority groups. The Declaration of Independence is what sparked the movements that brought our country to be what it is today, and continues to remind Americans of the foundation that this country was founded on, which is why it is an important part of our nation’s

    Read More

  • The Declaration of Independence

    702 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Declaration of Independence is focused for the most part toward King George III and the British Parliament. Jefferson wanted them to understand the reasoning behind the American's decision of independence. From paragraphs 6-32 he lists all the acts of tyranny that King George III forced upon the Americans. The list is longer than all the other parts of the document put together. It demonstrates how much emphasis Jefferson placed on providing reasons. But, this list is not only directed at Jefferson, it is a reminder to all Americans and the whole world of what disturbing times have been overcome in the past.

    Read More

  • The Declaration of Independence

    315 Words  | 1 Pages

    The Declaration of Independence includes four parts. The first part is the Preamble, which explains why the Continental Congress drew up the Declaration. They felt their reason should be explained to England.

    Read More

  • The Declaration of Independence

    405 Words  | 1 Pages

    There are many important factors in the Declaration of Independence, which enable the foundation of a new government. These range from describing grievances with England, to how government should be run differently, to the first statement of separation. The first step to the foundation of a new government is the uniting of a people in a common goal. Since all people were feeling violated by English soldiers, it was necessary to state these grievances in order to make people aware that they are not alone. When people learned that others felt the same as them emotion was stirred. The Declaration of Independence listed the grievances such as, “He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.” The next important step to the foundation of a new government was to gain peoples ambition by showing how the government would be run if a new party took over. This goal was achieved by stating the rights of man. “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.” This statement made people hopeful and feel kindly toward this new government. The final step in the preparation for a new government was separation from the old government. This was declared twice in the Declaration of Independence. In the beginning, “That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, driving their just powers from the consent of the governed,” and in the end, “that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved. In conclusion, the Declaration of Independence was able to motivate people, give them ambition, and made it simple for Americans to take action.

    Read More

  • Analysis of The Declaration of Independence

    1241 Words  | 3 Pages

    Intro: The Declaration of Independence shapes our ideal vision in America by letting every individual have unalienable rights, not having to live under a tyrant, and having equality. These rights are to be protected by one government that is willing to secure these rights for the people. Due to not being responsible towards the people’s happiness, this government will be overthrown and replaced with a new one in which the people will be satisfied with.

    Read More

  • Atlantic Revolution Dbq

    1146 Words  | 3 Pages

    After it was written, 56 delegates coming from all of the 13 colonies signed the Declaration of Independence in order to make it official. This document served great justice during the Atlantic Revolution; it sought to make a difference as to how the colonies were in terms of their alliance with Britain. The Atlantic Revolution was able to make this happen, for it opened up the space for change. Through the document, we can see how the colonies determined to separate themselves from the British Empire. Some things to pay attention to in the writing is that they mentioned things like “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”. The goal of this statement is to make sure that even though the men make up the government and the people must be okay with them, at the end of the day the people have the right to make sure that their government is not being destructive and is aiming towards their rights. The Atlantic Revolution brought forth new ideas of government and the liberation of the colonies from the

    Read More

  • Haney Lopez The Construction Of Race

    1492 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Declaration of Independence is significant to our nation because it led individuals to gain independence; also, it justified rights that the original government no longer guaranteed certain rights. If it were not for the words written in this document all races now would not be treated equally and women would not have the right to vote. The Constitution laid out the prototype to assemble the American society and the rules that citizens of the nation should abide by.

    Read More

  • Declaration Of Independence Argumentative Essay

    1077 Words  | 3 Pages

    Therefore, I argue that the Declaration of Independence do contradict slavery with humanity and laws in society. First, Charles Langston, a free Black man, notifies a court about African American human right in according to the Fugitive Slave Law. It implies that African American is not free under any circumstance; it states that Whites have the right to place them into captivity. African Americans lack rights, and this law,

    Read More

More about Argumentative Essay On The Declaration Of Independence

Open Document