The Declaration of Independence
By skyleigh Tweedy
In 1776, the tyranny of King George III made it necessary for the thirteen English colonies of America to unite, declare independence and to sever political ties to Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence was and is the most important part of America’s history because of its influence throughout history. The over taxed, under represented people of America needed a strong unwavering statement showing the colonists resolve to be free of English rule. The Declaration of Independence was the starting point for the United States effectively serving its purpose, making it the most important document in history.
Thomas Jefferson the author of the Declaration of Independence was a well-educated man graduating from The College of William and Mary in 1762. Born in Virginia 1743, Jefferson went to school learning French, Greek and Latin becoming quickly fluent in all three. Jefferson studied mathematics, philosophy and law to become a lawyer and was admitted to the Virginia BAR in 1767. Interested in politics at a young age, Jefferson became a delegate for the Continental Congress in June 1775. A year later he was the man appointed to write the first draft of the Declaration. Jefferson was elected because of his intellectual prowess and his known skill for writing. The congress needed a document explaining the decision to separate from their sovereign country and why that decision was made.
In the Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson wrote about how when a government becomes “destructive” and counterproductive to its people, it is the right of the people “to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government...” Jefferson wrote very passionately about egalitarianism and how all men have rights and “among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”. Thomas Jefferson recognized that these rights aren't always attainable, but when a government repeatedly ignores these rights entirely, it then becomes the right of the people “... to throw off such a government...” He then claims that the King of Great Britain has subjected the people of America to his tyranny for too long. The list of offenses against the colonist’s proceeds, with a focus on the King's attempts to undermine the governments of the colonies and the horrors of war that had already been afflicted on the colonists. Jefferson even addresses that for every offense against them; the colonists had tried to communicate peacefully with their oppressors but were only “answered with repeated injury.” Thomas Jefferson concludes the piece by declaring these united colonies as a “free and independent states... Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown “. This powerful message to the most powerful man in Europe was what the newly formed states needed to unite under one banner and to show England that they were going to fight for their freedom. The message was so powerful that the rights of men, according to Jefferson,...
