Acceptance And Moralism In Thomas Jefferson's Declaration Of Independence

INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY

In the first half of the 16th century, a new movement in Europe arose, which challenged the institutional concepts of the Catholic Church and adopted new approaches in exegesis. One of those protests for reformation took form in a system known as Calvinism.
Preaching the absolute authority of God and the necessity of pious and holy lives, his devotees tried to “purify” Anglicanism. Their failure in this attempt caused their severely persecution and consequently migration to America.
However, besides the religious and political motivation of their journey, there was an economic reason behind it – for the British had the need for raw materials, and an unexplored and growing consumer market about to be set in America.

Thus, perfectly reproducing the methodology of the rational thinking.
The document works as a categorical syllogism, having the major premise (or normative premise) – the unalienable Rights of man and the consequences of its disregard –, the minor premise (or factual premise) – where Jefferson explained the political situation of non-observation of the rights previously stated –, and the conclusion – in which they decided to declare the Independence.

THE MAJOR PREMISE (NORMATIVE PREMISE)

The Core of this part is surely the affirmation of isonomy since the creation of humankind together with the inalienability of some fundamental Right exemplified as: Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
This exemplification is certainly based on the arbitrariness of action in which the British would rely upon the settlers during the Intolerable Acts’ period. The need to affirm the value of human life, mainly Americans’ life, the liberty of its people and their right to effectively control their destiny, in order to achieve the highest degree of happiness as possible, was obvious. The catholic of the Committee of Five, as well as the majority of the population, also contributed to the understanding of the fundamental role of these fundamental

In this part, Thomas Jefferson abandon his impersonal tone and talks directly about King George III, focusing on the establishment of his absolute tyranny over those States.
He lists exactly 28 reasons explaining why the normative premise can be applied to America’s political situation – including their attempt to peacefully negotiate a resolution and requesting their King to remind the circumstances of their emigration and settlement. From that he extracts a conclusion of action.

CONCLUSION
As a result of the rights proclaimed combined with the facts they provided previously, Thomas Jefferson declares with all the words:
“We, therefore, the Representatives of The United States of America […] by the authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right to be Free and Independent States;”
It was, with all the certainty, a courageous move to sign the Declaration of Independence. It was essentially an act of betrayal and the signatories were risking their lives and everything they had in case the independence had