The Declaration of Independence Americas Foundation...

The issue the Declaration of Independence being a legal document has been up for debate in courts for many years now. Although, the Declaration of Independence clarifies the United States identity as a free nation, it has generated intense controversy. Some feel strongly that it did not clearly define the new powers that the thirteen colonies would acquire and did not define the identity of the United States; while, others firmly believe that without the Declaration of Independence the United States would not be the free nation that it is today. Therefore, serving as the foundation for many laws and documents composed after it, the Declaration of Independence has been helpful in defining the rights of the American citizens, the powers of†¦show more content†¦The government can only rule with the people’s best interest at heart because â€Å"governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed† (Jefferson, 1776). It is the citizens that give the government its power which is why the government protects the American citizens’ rights. Due to the Declaration of Independence, the government cannot impose unfair taxes on the citizens. If a law was to be imposed, it would have to be review by the judicial branch in order for the law to be enforced. Also, one branch of government could not have more power than the others which is why a system of checks and balances was later created. That way one branches would not be able to make all the decisions concerning the affairs of the nation without the consent of the others. This also protects the citizens from being taken advantage of and each branch will think about what the nation needs instead of competing for power among each other. In addition to defining the government’s powers, the Declaration of Independence helps to define America’s nationhood. The Declaration of Independence was the first document composed. It declared the colonies’ independence from Great Britain which meant that it was the beginning of a new free nation. â€Å"Lincoln used the Declaration of Independence to construct national identity† (Farber, 2007). He says that the Declaration of Independence is the foundation on which the United States was formed whichShow MoreRelatedGovernmental Foundation in the Declaration of Independence Essay867 Words   |  4 PagesStates of Americas Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Second Continental Congress, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This document, primarily written by Thomas Jefferson, announced that the thirteen colonies were declaring their independence and, in doing so, were independent states apart from the British Empire. The Declaration of Independence is comprised mainly of colonial grievances and assertions of human rights. The Declaration of Independence formed a profound foundation for the forefathersRead MoreEssay On American Imperialism1265 Words   |  6 PagesHoar’s argument consists of questioning whether it is right or not to govern a foreign nation without their consent. Senator Beveridge cites that it is America’s duty to spread itself as the people of America are God’s chosen people. Hoar gives justification to his argument by stating that it is not just a moral decision, as the Declaration of Independence states that America cannot govern a foreign territory. He continues by stating that it doesn’t matter if it is being done with good intentions of spreadingRead MoreThe Declaration Of Independence And Freedom From England s Rule946 Words   |  4 PagesEvery year on July 4th, Americans celebrate Independence Day. While companies have commercialized the day, by selling 4th of July cards, shirts with the American flag on them, and party items themed red, white, and blue, Americans are still reminded that brave actions that happened hundreds of years ago set the path for freedom from England’s rule. â€Å"The Second Continental Congress delegated the task of writing the Declaration of Independence to a committee of five men consisting of Thomas JeffersonRead MoreLiberalism’s Impact on the American Revolution1193 Words   |  5 Pagesthem the King was power-hungry. The colonists soon became aware of the fact that they were not being accurately represented. From then on, the people within the colonies knew that independence from Great Britain was necessary in order to thrive as a nation. The liberalism philosophy had the greatest impact on America’s decision to gain freedom from the mother country because it convinced individuals that the people should be able to pursue their own self-interests. Similarly, it made the colonistsRead More Americas A bandonment of Natural Law Essay1185 Words   |  5 PagesAmericas Abandonment of Natural Law      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Declaration of Independence forthrightly states We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The origin of these Rights is ...the Laws of Nature and of Natures God... (Declaration of Independence). The Founders used the principle of Natural Law as the basis for the DeclarationRead MoreEssay on It’s Time to Put The Independence Back In Independence Day798 Words   |  4 PagesIt’s Time to Put The Independence Back In Independence Day â€Å"Jefferson and Washington fought a war for the principle of independence, meaning the moral right of an individual to live his own life as he sees fit.† - Michael S. Berliner Every Fourth of July Americas cities and towns fill with parades and fireworks, celebrating the Fourth of July, the birthday of America. But one hopes that--on the next Independence Day--the speeches will contain fewer bromides and more attention to exactlyRead MoreThe Declaration of Independence1186 Words   |  5 Pagessignificance of the Declaration of Independence Often a single document defines and commemorates an event or a moment in time that is of importance. The Declaration of Independence is the principal document that defines and commemorates the birth of the United States and the independence of our nation. The Declaration of Independence defines the right of the people to defy the established order, to change their government, and to throw off an oppressor. [1] The Declaration of Independence expresses AmericasRead MoreAddress To Congress On Womens Suffrage And Pearl Harbor Speech1441 Words   |  6 Pagesdemocracy. The address also says, â€Å"It is a death grapple between the forces which deny and those which uphold the truths of the Declaration of Independence.† This passage denounces the people opposing women’s suffrage as not upholding the Declaration of Independence. The author insinuates that the opposing party is unpatriotic and violates the Declaration of Independence. The â€Å"Address to Congress on Womenâ €™s Suffrage† says, â€Å"A theory which prevents a nation from keeping up with the trend of worldRead MoreAnalysis Of Martin Luther King s I Have A Dream Speech, And Patrick Henry s Speech852 Words   |  4 Pagesgreat need (war) and keeping the foundation of the government to meet the people’s needs. In turn, the government’s duty to it’s residing citizens is to create and hold a well-kept balance of the citizen’s three inalienable rights: right to life, right to liberty, and the right to the pursuit of happiness; as well as providing jobs for the working citizens of America. Evidence of these claims are found in these four works: The Declaration of Independence, The Declaration of Sentiments, Martin LutherRead MoreFoundations of US Government Essay628 Words   |  3 Pagesthere were many events that are important. This paper intends to highlight a few of those events including; Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, A rticles of Confederation and the Federalist Papers. Many events in America’s history helped to establish the United States as a free and independent country. The Declaration of Independence in particular explains the rights and freedoms that Americans. Each document is like a stepping stones that leads to the next and building upon