Discussion 1

With all discussion boards, your initial response should be at least 300 words.  Then make 2 replies to classmates of at least 100 words each.  Feel free to exceed these minimum requirements.   ·

Please use formal register, correct grammar and sentence structure, and always address the person to whom you are responding and sign off on your posts. 

Discussion Question – Discuss the “self-evident” truths upheld in the Declaration of Independence and the “unalienable Rights” and how they set in motion the various movements to follow in the history of America’s journey toward true democracy.

peer review 1

The truths that were written in the declaration of independence gave American citizens a starting point to fight for equality and fairness between its citizens and put to words the freedoms that they originally sought from the British empire. The self-evident truths and unalienable rights found in the Declaration of Independence serve as an anchor, grounding the American philosophy in certain principles that hold us together, and protects its citizens from abusing each other and from abuse from the government. Though it was not stated directly in the declaration of independence the discrepancy between what was found in the declaration of independence and where some American citizens found themselves in this new society became contradictory. As a result, statements in the declaration of independence such as “all men are created equal” were the ideological starting point for many different social movements from the abolition of slavery to women's suffrage. This statement rang true in the hearts of every American citizen that was fighting for their place in this new democratic world.

Almost all aspects of the declaration of independence served to establish basic principles that would establish us as a country grounded in its freedoms. Through the unalienable rights found in the U.S Declaration of Independence Americans can now link themselves with a common thread of protected rights even in the midst of the growing diversity of the American population. This allows for different cultures to be found and thrive in American society. Statements in the constitution such as “life liberty and the pursuit of happiness” serve to preserve the American spirit and give a sense of security to each individual American citizen. As society continues to develop the words found in the Declaration of Independence serve as a light to prevent the American people and government from getting lost. The self-evident truths and unalienable rights serve as a guide enabling America to develop as a true democratic nation protecting the liberties and opinions of its citizens.

peer review 2

The Declaration of Independence states that we have these "self evident truths and unalienable right" that we are born with. Throughout history there have been several things that determined that not everyone was being treated equal. After the Declaration of Independence, women and other races were still not treated as equals to white men.

During the womens rights movement, they made great points of how women were not treated equal to men. When a women was to marry a man, all of her possessions were given basically to the husband. Such as if the women had any land and or money. Women were not allowed to do any kind of voting even though they were  supposed to be equal to men. During their convention, they proved that women had not been being treated as equals to men. 

Thoreau's reading showed how men who did not believe in slavery were trying to make a stand.  Also it tells that men were being forced to fight in a war when they did not believe in the cause of the war. How could the Declaration of Independence state that all men are created equal and that they have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Being enslaved, you are not a free man and you definitely are not being treated as an equal. During this time men were being forced to go fight in a war and chancing their lives with not retuning home. 

The declaration of Independence states that all men and women should be created equal and have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness regardless of your gender or your race. We have lots of people to be thankful for for the way that our country is today. Without all the people that stood up for our rights as people of this country, who knows where we would be today.