The American Declaration of Independence

Résumé du document

On the 4th of July 1776, was adopted by the Second Continental Congress, the American Declaration of Independence, completing the Lee Resolution, that asserted the independence of the Thirteen Colonies. This Declaration proclaimed that the Thirteen British Colonies in North America were 'Free and Independent States' and that 'all political connections between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved.' It is now considered as a founding document for the United States of America (as you know, the 4th of July is celebrated as Independence Day in the United States), and as a turning point in the history of political sciences. To what extent was this Declaration built in reaction against the British rule and society?

Extraits

[...] Influence on law, with the developpment of the idea of natural right It has been said that the American Revolution was protecting the British inheritance as much as asserting an American future. Indeed, throughout this Declaration of Independence, both sides of the Revolution can be seen: it seems that this act was reaffirming old principles of liberal government, such as natural rights, refusal of tyranny or importance of parliamentary representation, rather than creating an American identity and way of thinking. The Declaration of Independence and its authors can be seen as the agents of a mission of defense of liberty, that had been left aside by George III. [...]

[...] These taxes were imposed without consultation of the people, since the colonists were not represented at the British Parliament. This is the beginning of the famous taxation without representation” campaign. Along with these new taxes, the government strongly enforced laws restricting trade with foreign countries, which was important at the time. As a consequence, boycotts were organised on British goods, a stamp Act congress was held in New York City in October drawing up a petition that claimed that this new tax without representation violated ancient rights. The Stamp Act was abolished by the Parliament a year after. [...]

[...] _The comes a major part, the indictment, where the “repeated injuries and usurpations” of the Americans' rights are mentionned. The “present King of Great Britain” is aimed at, as he is supposed to have established an “absolute tyranny over (the 13 colonies)”. Here are the main facts reproached to the king: He refused representation of the inhabitants of the colonies at the Parliament; He repeatedly dissolved Representative Houses, for opposing his invasions on the rights of people He has refused other Representatives to be elected, defying the risk of serious political problems He prevented naturalization of settlers He obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his assent to laws proposing a reform of the institutions, and thus maintaining judges under his arbitrary authority He kept standing armies in America without the Consent of Representatives, and protected them in trials He prevented the Americans to trade with other countries than Britain, by imposing taxes He abolished the Massachussets Chart and government in order to control this territory directly (Massachussets government act of 1774, part of the Intolerable Acts) He has finally declared war, and refused all the petitions sent by the colonists The end of this part, though, is showing a feeling of kinship among Americans, who seem to break from the British Empire with regrets: have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity” says the declaration, then links of “consanguinity” are mentionned, and finally it is declared that the british will be treated as enemies in war, and friends in peace -Finally, it is concluded in the last part that Americans are from now independent and absolved from all allegiance to the Bitish Crown. [...]

[...] This act was, as its main inspirer Jefferson acknowledges, supposed to find out new principles, or new arguments, never before thought of but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent, and to justify (the members of the Congress) in the independent stand (they) are compelled to take”. Consequences of this declaration on the American Revolution and further This act reinforced and galvanized Americans in their rebellion, for it exposed clearly the reasons to oppose the British. But it had also a decisive role in the conflict, since, after this act claimed the independence of the United States, it was not a civil war anymore, but an independence war, and foreign powers were allowed by international law to intervene. [...]

[...] In response to this event were issued the Intolerable Acts in 1774, which put the government of Massachussets under direct control of the King, and installed a special jurisdiction for British troops, who could be rejudged for their offences in other colonies or even in England. The colonist were also forced by the Quartering Act to take care of the permanent troops sent to America. The Americans set up a shadow government in each state as their relations with Britain became strained. These governments were linked together by a Continental Congress and committees of Correspondence. [...]