The Goals of the Declaration of Independence Essay

The Goals of the Declaration of Independence The American Revolution was not only a battle between the British and the colonists; it was a historical movement that brought about new ways of thinking. The ideas of liberty and equality began to be seen as essential to the growth of the new nation. The separation of the American colonies from the British Empire occurred for a number of reasons. These reasons are illustrated in the Declaration of Independence. Although Thomas Jefferson wrote the document, it expressed the desire of the heart of each colonist to be free of British rule. British rule over the colonies became unbearable in the early months of 1776, making it clear to the colonists that it was time to either give in†¦show more content†¦He is also addressing the relationship between the Englishmen in Britain and the Englishmen in America. The colonists would still be connected to England, but they would no longer be a part England (Pleasants 53). The colonis ts would form their own government, and no longer be subject to British rule. The introduction concludes: â€Å" . . . and to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of Nature and Nature’s God entitled them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to separation.† This implies that there should be equality among nations, according to natural law, and that it was time for the colonies to obtain this equal status (Pleasants 53). The colonists also felt that it was necessary to state their reasons for the movement towards independence. They would do this in the body of the document. Their first reason for the declaration was their desire for â€Å"life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.† This is not to say that it is the responsibility of the government to provide every citizen with happiness, but it was believed that the British were preventing the colonists from being happy. In this time, happiness meant property. Many of the colonists could not ownShow MoreRelatedEssay on DBQ declaration of independence665 Words   |  3 Pagesï » ¿Declaration of Independence In the mist of 1776-1877, did the United States carry out all the goals that were stated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution? The Declaration of Independence and Constitution had many different goals and ideas in mind for the United States at the time. 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