American Nationalism The Declaration of Independence

What Caused the Declaration The first cause of this Declaration was the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War. The Thirteen Colonies and Great Britain had been at war for over a year. Relations between the colonies and Great Britain had been deteriorating ever since the end of the 7 Years’ War in Parliament believed that acts such as the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Townsend Acts of 1767 were a legitimate means of having the colonies pay their fair share of the costs to keep the colonies in the British Empire. The Americans wanted to be free from the British Empire.

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The Signing and the Effects of The Declaration The date when the Declaration was signed has long been the subject of debate. Within a decade after the event, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams all wrote that the Declaration had been signed by Congress on July 4, This seemed to be confirmed by the signed copy of the Declaration, which is dated July 4. Additional support was provided by the Journals of Congress, the official public record of the Continental Congress. When the proceedings for 1776 were first published in 1777, the entry for July 4, 1776, stated that the Declaration was carefully handwritten and signed on that date Washington and Congress hoped the Declaration would inspire the soldiers, and encourage others to join the army. After hearing the Declaration, crowds in many cities tore down and destroyed signs or statues representing royalty. An equestrian statue of King George in New York City was pulled down and the lead used to make musket balls. British officials in North America sent copies of the Declaration to Great Britain. It was published in British newspapers beginning in mid-August; translations appeared in European newspapers soon after. The North ministry did not give an official answer to the Declaration, but instead secretly commissioned pamphleteer John Lind to publish a response, which was entitled Answer to the Declaration of the American Congress. Thomas Hutchinson, the former royal governor of Massachusetts, also published a rebuttal. These pamphlets challenged various aspects of the Declaration. Hutchinson argued that the American Revolution was the work of a few conspirators who wanted independence from the outset, and who had finally achieved it by inducing otherwise loyal colonists to rebel. Lind's pamphlet included an anonymous attack on the concept of natural rights written by Jeremy Bentham, an argument he would repeat during the French Revolution. Both pamphlets asked how slave owners in Congress could proclaim that "all men are created equal" without then freeing their own slaves.

Pictures #2 Copy of Original Declaration (Signed)First Published Edition of the Declaration

Importance to American Nationalism The Declaration of Independence has been a huge factor for American Nationalism. The Declaration itself is showing the Thirteen Colonies separation from Great Britain. In the Declaration, there is a list of charges against King George. This is but a small portion of the charges: He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people. He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers. He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance. He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures. This document is the proof of Americas beginning as a single nation.

Picture #3 Original Signed Declaration of Independence

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