The Declaration of Independence
For the past 200 years, the American people have celebrated the Forth of July as Independence Day. The Declaration of Independence is the core behind July fourth and it is considered by many the most important document in our American history. The Declaration of Independence unified the colonies of America in a total effort for freedom from Britain in July 1776.
The Declaration of Independence was formally written by Thomas Jefferson and revised by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. Thomas Jefferson based The Declaration of Independence on several other documents that held key concepts and philosophies of Enlightenment thinkers of how people should be governed. (ushistory.org)
The Declaration of Independence is based heavily on the ideas of the famous philosopher, John Locke. Locke proposed in his paper, Two Treatise of Government, that government should follow the Laws of Nature and Human rights, which is that all humans are created equal and are given unalienable rights by their creator. All men are to be treated with “life, liberty and respect.” A government has no right to take this God-given gift away from its people. Locke states that when a government fails to follow these basic principals, they should be overthrown for a new government. An excerpt from the Two Treatise of Government explains the central meaning behind Locke’s vision of government. The state of nature is also a state of equality. No one has more power or authority than another. Since all creatures of the same species and rank have the same advantages and the use of the same skills, they should be equal to each other without subordination or subjection. The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it. Reason is that law. It teaches all mankind that, since all men are equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions. All men are made by one omnipotent and infinitely wise Maker. They are all servants of...