The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America

Résumé du document

In the 18th century, the ideas of modernity were spreading all around Europe, while at the same time a revolt is organized against the despotic control exercised by Georges III, the King of England in the British colonies of the New World. This rebellion resulted in the Declaration of Independence of 1776. This is the culmination of the quest for independence of the thirteen colonies. This document and the revolution that accompanies it are unique to this time, and are major elements in the construction of modernity. It is not colonized people in revolt against the colonizers, but settlers themselves who proclaim their independence from the state they have always depended on. These are colonies which are separated from the motherland.

Extraits

[...] This rebellion conducted to the Declaration of Independence of 1776, this is the culmination of the quest for independence of the thirteen colonies. This document and the revolution that accompanies it are unique to this time, and are major elements in the construction of modernity. It is not colonized people in revolt against the colonizers, but settlers themselves who proclaim their independence from the state they have always depended on. These are colonies which are separated from the motherland. This document is an implementation of ideas of the Enlightenment and the assertion of rights of a people in accordance with evident principles. [...]

[...] But the "accuser" part of the declaration also includes a few lines towards the British parliament. In mentioning repeatedly the notion of justice and making reference to the “British brethren”, the authors appeal to natural rights, but also to the natural equality of men. In these few lines, the British parliament is held equally responsible as the king for the deterioration of links and connections. The must become free from the king, but also from the legislative authority of parliament. The Declaration of Independence is a document where the central idea is liberty. [...]

[...] The Declaration begins with a reminder of the Enlightenment's thought. The first two paragraphs are the schematic construction of a perfect democracy and how to achieve it through timely and accurate overthrows. Subsequently, the Declaration is a plea against the British Crown and the actions of the kingship over its colonies of North America. This declaration is therefore addressed to the King of England George III, the British Parliament, but also to the entire world. In addition to end ties with Great Britain, it is a matter to announce the creation of new states. [...]

[...] In these first articles of denunciation, there are primarily the notion of separation of powers and the actions of a king who was opposed to it at all costs. In response to the rebellions in the colonies, including the Boston Tea Party, the king and the British Parliament imposed a series of laws which were called "the intolerable acts" by the settlers. We find these intolerable acts in the declaration of independence, especially in the second part which is the indictment. [...]

[...] These governments, and it is important to note that these are 13 new states united by a common cause, guarantee to their citizens liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” The conclusion of the declaration clearly announced that states now have the right to declare war, alliances, and establish trade relations with whom they wish. The importance, the strength of the declaration of independence is that this document is based directly on the founding principles of the English state. Finally, the concrete application comes at the same time as the pre- revolutionary Enlightenment in France was gaining more and more considerations. No wonder then that this declaration was an example and an inspiration to the French Revolution. Bibliographie indicative - The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States de P. [...]