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Ethos In The Declaration Of Independence

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On June 11, 1776, Congress appointed a committee of five to justify why the American colonies had come the conclusion to separate from the British Empire. This ultimately resulted in the Second Continental Congress adopting what would become one of the world’s most influential documents to date, the Declaration of Independence. Once the decision to secede from Britain had been made, the delegates were in need of someone to write it. Fortunately John Adams had a individual in mind, Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson, known for his exceptional writing skills, employs references to popular works from the Revolutionary time period as well as the use of ethos in order to justify the delegates decision to declare independence from England. In an effort …show more content…

Locke argued that people have these natural rights and a governments are put in place in to protect these rights. By analyzing this concept, it becomes evident how Jefferson is able to tie Locke’s concept to serve as a base for the new government. In addition to Locke’s ideas being implemented into the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson also includes Thomas Paine’s basic claim in which he states George the III has a “ history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States” (Jefferson). In order to gain support and to justify independence, Jefferson utilizes the popularity and content of “Common Sense” to target his audience and create a common understanding of the purpose of declaring independence. The last major influence Jefferson uses for the framework of the document is from George Mason. The Virginia Declaration of Rights, written by Mason declares the inherent rights of men as well as the right to rebel against "inadequate" government. In the same way Mason implicates these ideals, Jefferson incorporates them in the Declaration of …show more content…

Jefferson addresses the appeal to God’s authority by stating that the colonist have a “ firm reliance on the protection of

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It is understood that John Locke played a key role of influence on Thomas Jefferson. This influence can be seen through Jefferson’s writing on the nation’s founding document. This document is called the Declaration of Independence. John Locke, the English Enlightenment philosopher wrote his Two Treatises of Government to refute the belief that kings ruled by divine right and to support the Glorious Revolution of 1688 (Doc 1). This piece of political philosophy provided many explanations for the people’s rights and obligations to overthrow a corrupt government.

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Declaration of Independence Precis Thomas Jefferson in his historical document, The Declaration of Independence (1776), asserts that the colonies should break free from Britain’s tyranny. Jefferson supports his assertion through the use of anaphora, parallel structure, imagery, emotional appeal to patriotism, and logical appeal to the colonist’s basic rights. Jefferson’s purpose is to advocate for the separation of Britain and the colonies in order to escape the British tyranny that King George imposes on the American colonists. Jefferson writes in a measured tone for the British parliament, King George, and for colonists who have been a victim of Britain’s oppression.

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If it weren’t for Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence, America would look so much different than it is right now. Who knows if the United States would even exist. Arguably, if Jefferson hadn’t written the Declaration, is someone else had, it wouldn’t have been as strong. And possibly, the new colony would have needed to wait longer to become independent, if they became independent at all. But Jefferson’s strong rhetorical appeals help persuade his audience that new colony deserves independent, and his use of allusions contribute greatly to his argument, making his appeals powerful and capture the attention of his audience, and to get them to agree with him.

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During the writing of “The Declaration of Independence”, Thomas Jefferson go to great lengths to describe why the colonies were choosing to separate themselves from Great Britain. This is done not only so readers will have a detailed description of what the American people were facing while being ruled by the King. The vivid depiction of all the cruelty he has shown towards the people. Furthermore, the lengthy, highly descriptive examination of all the wrongs and showing that the colonists made many appeals to the King but also the people of Britain that the reader now feels as if it is wrong for the Colonies to be under Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson begins by detailing the ethical standings of all people that live within the colonies.

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