LAD #3: Declaration of Independence

 

1. Democratic Principles

     The Declaration contain the democratic principles that this nation is founded upon. There are several very important ones that the Americans want to make sure that are conveyed. The first is that all men are created equal, a very important one that is used thoroughout American history. Secondly, it states that all men are granted certain unalienable rights that include life, liberty, and the pusuit of happiness. Thirdly, they go on to explain that a government gets its power from the consent of the people. In the case that this government begins to interfere with these rights then the people have the right to overthrow it and institute a new government. These are the quintessential American principles that make the United States the land of the free.

2. List of Grievances

      The Americans behind the Declaration wrote out a long list of grievances that they have with the British. But this long list can be boiled down to a few categories. The first category is primarily about the laws being passed, or the lack of, that were effecting the colonists in a negative way, or actions of British officials and primarily the king himself. For example, the Americans write that "He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importancem unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and, when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend them." The second category is concerned with the problems caused with the occupation of the colonies by British soldiers. The Americans are angry of the power that they have over the people, but also the injustices they feel were committed against them. For instance they were none too pleased with the acquittal of British soldiers after the Boston massacre. The third category talks about of foreign affairs and trade. They are angry with the restrictions of trade that have been placed on them, and also they are outraged the oppression that they are facing at sea.

3. The Conclusion

     In the end, the Americans write that they are now an independent nation. But, interestingly, they begin their conclusion with saying that they have almost been pushed to this division because of they failed attempts of the British to deal with the problems the Americans lamented about. So once again, they end by saying that they are now independent and that they have the powers that all independent countries have, which includes they ability to wage war.