Examples Of Rebellion In The Declaration Of Independence

Rebellion is the voice of the unsatisfied, the oppressed, and the messengers of change. The people of the United States want to separate from the British monarchy that controls them. In the Declaration of independence, Thomas Jefferson encourages the rebellion against King George and the pursuit of what the colonists have been denied for so many years. Jefferson believes that a rebellion is justifiable when an oppressive figure inhibits one from exercising one’s natural rights. Jefferson uses suffering-related diction and logical appeal to justify the defiance of restrictive government.

Thomas Jefferson uses suffering-related diction to express the result of an oppressive government on the people of America. Jefferson characterizes the King

“Tyranny” implies the despotic nature of the leader and the endless suffering of the subordinate group of people. Since the people are subject to submission under King George’s rule, Jefferson is implicitly expressing how the people are suffering under an oppressive government. This extends the colonists’ reasoning for rebelling; they want a break from a control that is completely obstructing them of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (Jefferson). This defines rebellion as the reasonable response to the injustice the colonists faced. Rebellions are suitable in situations where the victims are completely powerless against a controlling force. Jefferson describes King George’s government history as a series of “repeated injuries and usurpations” (Jefferson). A “injury” means an instance of being injured, harm or damage and even a offense to. It is mainly believed to be a physical impairment of a person. “Usurpations” are the withholding of something from the rightful owner under a guise of authority. Jefferson uses these terms to characterize the misdeeds King George has committed against the colonists. The damage British government has done in its history is argued to be “repeated.” Jefferson could have plainly said that King George has committed offenses

Jefferson addresses how all people have the unalienable rights to “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” that the government is instituted “to secure these rights;” and if the government ignores its duty then the people have the right to “alter or abolish it” (Jefferson). Jefferson structures his argument so that it cannot be refuted by logical means. He starts by reporting the natural rights that all people are granted by God. Then he explains how the purpose of government is to maintain and protect these rights for the people; because it is powered by the people who instituted it. This provides the objective responsibility and role government has in society. He then mentions a case in which this duty of “secur[ing] these rights” does not happen. He asserts that the only and correct response is to overthrow that government and institute a new one that preserves the principles and rights of its people. The right people have to “Alter or abolish [government]” is the right people have to rebellion. Jefferson is saying the a rebellion is ethical when the government is not doing its job. It is acceptable to overthrow the government if it is not maintaining those unalienable rights and not properly representing the needs of its people. Jefferson brings in a universal system that can be applied to any situation which solidifies his logical argument about