Rhett Lyle
2/4/2011
English 1010
Declaration Summary Essay
The ideas derived from Thomas Jefferson’s famous document are those of liberty and a just ruling of government. Although The Declaration of Independence was not based on his ideas alone, he is the one responsible for immortalizing the thoughts of the American people at the time. The belief that all men are created equal and have the same rights resonated in a profound way. The rights of “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness,” and the idea that government should be given power by the consent of the governed, not by the ruler, makes the document unique indeed.
During Jefferson’s lifetime, there was oppression over the people of the thirteen colonies that would eventually become the basis for the foundation for America. There was unfair taxation on the people. The British army abused their powers. Judicial law was twisted against the colonists or just bluntly ignored. This treatment to the colonists was the catalyst for the revolutionary events that lead to The Declarations of Independence.
The purpose of the document was to express the unanimous voice of the people so that America, as an independent nation, could break free from the unjust ruling of the king in Great Britain. Throughout the declaration, Jefferson directly states the wronging of the King and his tyranny. Every single word was chosen carefully to increase the impact of the document. Every time it was read aloud to the American people, they grew stronger as a country- more united, and more independent from the British government.
Early parts of the declaration can be used as a guideline for government. But, the rest of the document was only situational to the colonists and the struggle against their distant King. Every line up to, “Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies,” (DoI) can be seen as a foundation for a fair government.
The Declaration of Independence, as written by Thomas Jefferson, and signed...