Post by dkleinbard on Sept 26, 2013 1:10:11 GMT
The Declaration of Independence was written in order to declare the colonial secession from their mother country, Great Britain. The colonists became fed up with the poor treatment they received from Great Britain, and they devised several key rebellions in order to make a statement to the King. Once the colonists suffered the consequences of their actions, they drafted the Declaration of Rights and Grievances at the First Continental Congress although this document never reached Great Britain. Still frustrated, the colonists drafted the Declaration of Independence with hopes to open Britain's eyes to the wrongness of their actions. The Declaration claims that, "All men are created equal" and should have the right to, "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
While the Declaration is viewed as one of the most important documents in the history of the United States of America, many citizens are unable to realize some of the key flaws to the Declaration. While this document was successful in declaring colonial independence, it failed to grant its freedoms to all people. At the time of the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, women were not given rights, and African Americans were viewed as property rather than people. Due to these social views, the Declaration of Independence failed to ensure the freedoms of these people, who are viewed as equals in today's society. Also, by ensuring the right to the pursuit of happiness, this document implies that one can pursue property, if they so desire. This further blocks the freedoms of African Americans because they were viewed as property, allowing citizens to pursue and own them if they wanted to. While the Declaration of Independence played an integral role in American history, it did fail to bring freedoms to all people.
While the Declaration is viewed as one of the most important documents in the history of the United States of America, many citizens are unable to realize some of the key flaws to the Declaration. While this document was successful in declaring colonial independence, it failed to grant its freedoms to all people. At the time of the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, women were not given rights, and African Americans were viewed as property rather than people. Due to these social views, the Declaration of Independence failed to ensure the freedoms of these people, who are viewed as equals in today's society. Also, by ensuring the right to the pursuit of happiness, this document implies that one can pursue property, if they so desire. This further blocks the freedoms of African Americans because they were viewed as property, allowing citizens to pursue and own them if they wanted to. While the Declaration of Independence played an integral role in American history, it did fail to bring freedoms to all people.