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American Ideal

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What is the most crucial value we have that characterizes us as Americans? Most will claim equality, achievements, patriotism, or the American dream that shows the image of opportunities and diligent work. However, these American values would not exist without the existence and establishment of liberty. It was the strive for liberty that initiated the start of this nation, it was liberty that has formed the nation to what it has come to be thus far, and it is still liberty that drives us toward the ideal American country we continue to aim for. Without our liberty as Americans, every other value that we cherish would not exist. American liberty is portrayed in historical archives such as the Declaration of Independence, the Declaration of Sentiments, …show more content…

When gender equality was an issue, women often felt oppressed as this ideal was still reaching other minorities. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, one of the contributing authors of this declaration, critiqued the powerlessness of women in marriage: “In the covenant of marriage, she is compelled to promise obedience to her husband, he becoming, to all intents and purposes, her master--the law giving him power to deprive her of her liberty, and to administer chastisement.” (citation)The indicated exemplifies the American Ideal, liberty because, in the Declaration of Sentiments, women feel oppressed by men´s authority in the patriarchal society that they live in. This declaration has asked for the liberation of women that shaped America forever. Moreover, “Having deprived her of this first right of a citizen, the elective franchise, thereby leaving her without representation in the halls of legislation, he has oppressed her on all sides” (Stanton). Once again, women mention oppression which is completely against the liberties and inalienable rights they have been guaranteed as citizens. Thus, when this declaration was published, liberty and inalienable rights were once more developed to shape America into what it is today. In closure, this declaration demands, “Now, in view of this entire disfranchisement of one-half the people …show more content…

The first amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances” (US Const. amend. I). The Bill of Rights is solely on the freedom and independence granted to the citizens of America through amendments, thus developing the liberty of people. The most important amendment in the Bill of Rights calls for the freedom of speech and free exercise which develops the liberty established in the country. Apart from the first amendment, the thirteenth amendment changed the image of liberty forever as it states “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction” (US Const. amend. XIII, sec. 1). This amendment is extremely important to the United States. It has completely shaped the image of liberty for humanity. The abolishment of slavery forever established liberty for every citizen that resides in America. For once, slaves were given rights and depicted as human beings rather than property. African Americans began to have independence for themselves. Ultimately, “The enumeration in the

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