Thomas Paine’s political pamphlet brought the rising revolutionary into sudden focus by placing blame for the suffering of the colonies directly on the reigning British monarch. Common Sense encouraged an immediate declaration of independence,
The colonists desired a sense of freedom and power that was not obtained by the sovereign rule of England, so they instituted an improved governmental system that resolved most of their concerns, but was not without faults. The way England was controlling and monarchially put doubts and frustration in the minds of the commonfolk in America who felt used and dissatisfied (Doc 1). As a result, the Declaration of Independence was written that renounced the jurisdiction of Great Britain and gave themselves the independence. This also had the negative impact of the descent into fighting and the allegiance issue (Doc 2). Shown in document 3, there was a separation of the population in the colonies because some remained loyal to the crown.
The aforementioned acts that sought to fuel the English economy also became political issues, as colonists began to question Parliamentary authority in the new nation while the “mad” King George III sought to solidify his own authority. Colonists began to believe that a physically distant Parliament could in no way represent colonial ideals, thus influencing the revolutionary ideas. The Declaratory Act’s passage and Stamp Act’s repeal only furthered this sentiment by displaying to the colonists that they held the power to influence Parliamentary decisions and, in this sense, challenge the authority that the government body held. The American colonists also found influence in European political issues addressed during the English Revolution of the previous century. John Locke’s writings specifically outlined the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and property, influencing the later sentiments surrounding the American Revolution.
Oppressive actions such as the Boston Massacre heavily shook the general public’s view of their British rulers. Unfair policies such as the Stamp Act, in which colonists were forced to pay taxes on almost all paper goods, further agitated unrest in the colonies. If it wasn’t for a mix of oppressive actions and overbearing policies, the Revolution likely would not have gained enough traction to sway the views of the general public, and likely Thomas Jefferson would not have had enough support to write the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson not only used the Declaration of Independence to announce the United States secession from the British Empire, but he also used it to express all of the injustices he saw against colonist’s natural
A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people” (Doc7). This excerpt from “The Declaration of Independence” describes King George III as an unfit ruler of the people and tells of the colonists’ petitions that have been read and thrown back at them with repeated hatefulness. It also tells of the King’s history of repeating injury and usurpations while having the ability to establish oppressive rule over all of the states. Another view of this situation includes the view of the British. In their eyes the colonists are being immature and are complaining more than needed towards the King George III’s decisions and ways of ruling.
Could you imagine your life in the government’s hands? Through reading the Declaration of Independence, “Speech to the Second Virginia Convention”, and “From Subjects to Citizens”, one can sense an overall feeling that the colonists believe a government that disobeys people’s natural rights should be removed. Each source shows a different perspective to how the colonists felt about the overpowering king. The colonists’ main goals was to create a fair government that abided by their natural rights. Overall, these sources show how the colonists felt about their previous form of government and the changes they wish to make in their future colony so that they don’t make the same mistakes.
The Age of Reason is a name used to describe the age that influenced the American Statesmen of the Revolution. Taxes forced upon the colonists by Britain after the French and Indian War enraged the colonists, leading to the Revolution that would change the world forever. Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence and Thomas Paine’s The Crisis Number 1 were two very important works of literature during the Revolutionary period. Both works used persuasion effectively.
This was the start of a long journey for the colonist as well as for Britain because the colonists were no longer just following rules, they were thinking for themselves and King George was not happy. Immanuel Kant stated, “Dare to know! Have the courage to use your own understanding” (Shi & Tindall, 2015, p. 98). Not only was Kant a pioneer, others like Isaac Newton, Nicolaus Copernicus, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Locke called for “a government resting on the consent of the governed and respecting the “natural Rights” of all” (Shi & Tindall, 2015, p. 98).
The American Revolution, a pivotal moment in world history, was solely fueled by tangible grievances like taxes and military presence. More fundamentally, it was ignited by a spark within the minds of the colonists – the revolutionary ideals of the Enlightenment. These ideas, emphasizing individual liberties, limited government, and the consent of the governed, profoundly challenged the prevailing hierarchical structure and sowed the seeds of discontent with British rule. The colonists, deeply influenced by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Montesquieu, began questioning the traditional order, which placed them under the absolute authority of the British Crown. The concept of natural rights – inherent and inalienable rights possessed
Trial by Revolution In defiance of the common deprivation of Trial by Jury to the people of the British-American Colonies, Thomas Jefferson presents the United States Declaration of Independence as an opening statement of legal complaints levied against the King of Great Britain, and as an appeal to the reason and intellect of all enlightened men across time as the jury, and before Nature’s God as the Judge holding the power to grant the Right to govern in favor of the winning party. Thomas Jefferson establishes his case against Britain on ideas introduced in the Religious Awakening movement and the Era of Enlightenment. In the first part of the document, Jefferson describes the theoretical role of government and theoretical reasons for dissention
The rights of Englishmen provided rights to trial by jury, security from illegal intruding into one’s home, and no taxation without consent. The colonists framed their own government using ideas from the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, the English Civil War, and John Locke. The Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, and the English Civil War showed that limiting the power of king is
A tale as old as time, the common people whom all want a voice in their own governance. In the Declaration of Independence, the thirteen colonies of England in America denounced the King of England. This was drafted to declare the causes which impelled them to separate from England’s reign. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, on the other hand, was written to declare rights given to everyone.
The Declaration of Independence acts as the American Colonies’ formal set of grievances against the King of England. Before citing the injustices experienced, the statement begins with a formal introduction contending that the people have the right to create their own government when necessary. Following is a more philosophical assertion which argues that when a state begins to harm the given rights of the population, it is completely justifiable to begin a revolution to overthrow the subjugator. Next comes the list of complaints directed at the Crown, which range from the abolition of American charters to the dissolution of the Representative Houses. Finally, it concludes with a denunciation of the situation and announce the United States
The Age of Reason The Age of Reason and modern day America changed our society completely. The people back then wanted to be free and have change to the United States. The thoughts back then used similar principles that we use today in our society. The principle of life back then are respect our is compassion are both similar.
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.
