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The Declaration of Independence
Amanda Rhodes
Liberty University
GOV 421-D02: American Constitutional Histroy
Professor David VanHeemst
April 10, 2023
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The Declaration of Independence
Introduction
The Declaration of Independence, along with the United States Constitution, provided the
ideological foundation for the democratic government of the United States. The Founding
Fathers wrote the Declaration of Independence by three key ideas which were the equality of
man and man’s natural rights, the possibility of the government failing, and the rights of the
people. Additionally, the Declaration of Independence aided the colonist in their journey to seek
independence from Great Britain (McClellan, 1989).
How the Declaration of Independence was Shaped
Thomas Jefferson was the main contributor of the Declaration of Independence, with
John Adams and Benjamin Franklin aiding in the drafting process (McClellan, 1989). The
Declaration of Independence was then divided into two part, one being the “philosophical
justification for secession” and the second part was based on “a long list of grievances against
the King and Parliament” (McClellan, 1989). There was a large political influence in the first
part and states the following: “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”
(U.S. Declaration of Independence, Paragraph 2, 1776).
The second portion of the Declaration of Independence is influenced by philosophical
ideas such social contracts which are “voluntary civil agreements of mutual obligation among a
people or between a people and their governors for political purposes” (The Founding, 2019).
This theory was founded by John Locke which identifies “every individual, as free and equal
before God, possesses certain God-given, natural rights including life, liberty, and estate—all of
which Locke generally calls “property” (The Founding, 2019).
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The Understanding of Rights
“The concept of natural rights occupies an important place in American political thought
as reflected in the Declaration of Independence” (Vile, n.d.). Thomas Jefferson was very clear in
identifying the rights of the people when he began the Declaration of Independence citing “Life,
Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” as man’s primary rights. Further, the Declaration of
Independence condemned “King George III and Parliament for denying such human rights”
(Vile, n.d.). Thomas Jefferson further was able to justify the colonist rebellion due to those rights
being denied. (Vile, n.d.).
Political Ideas not Found in the Declaration of Independence
A large political idea not found in the Declaration of Independence is that of slavery and
the equality of all races. It is stated that “Congress made several changes to Jefferson’s draft,
including removing references condemning slavery” (Bill of Rights Institute, n.d.). If that would
have remained, the obligation to abolish slavery in every colony would have been mandatory
(McClellan, 1989). Additionally, as most of the Founding Father’s used God’s Word as a tool to
construct the Declaration of Independence, one would think the matter of slavery could have
remained. Just as God’s Word states, “You shall have the same law for the stranger and for one
from your own country; for I am the LORD your God” (New King James Bible, 1769/1982,
Leviticus 24:22).
Conclusion
In conclusion, and as stated above, the Declaration of Independence shaped the
democratic government we have today. Additionally, this instrument gave man freedom to own
land, have “Free and Independent States”, and to pursue one’s life freely. As stated, “That these
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United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States (U.S. Declaration of
Independence, Paragraph 32, 1776).
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References
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U.S. Declaration of Independence. (1776). Retreived from
https://www.archives.gov/founding- docs/declaration?
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The American Social Contract in the U. S. Declaration and Constitution. The Founding. (2019).
Retrieved from https://thefounding.net/the-american-bible-inspired-social-contract/
Vile, J.R. (n.d.). Natural Rights. Retrieved from
https://www.mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/822/natural-rights
The Bill of Rights Institute. Declaration of Independence. (1776). Retrieved from
https://billofrightsinstitute.org/primary-sources/declaration-of-independence
New King James Bible. (1982) Thomas Nelson. (Original work published 1769)
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Lawyers and Artificial
Intelligence. Ga. St. UL
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