Outline - Declaration of Independence

INTRODUCTION – Analogy
THESIS – What I will talk.
FIRST PARAGRAPH – What is the Declaration of Independence?
The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in world history; it
changed the course of how governments worked for its people and many countries’
independence process, “for example, the Declaration of Independence quickly became very
influential in France. Soon after the American Revolution ended, the French Revolution began
based on the ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence.” (Book)
Thomas Jefferson drafted this important paper in the first year of approving the document
(July 1776), and he put forward all the reasons that prompted politicians to join this separatist
movement (IvyPanda.com, 2019).
The Continental Congress ratified the document on July 4, 1776, and trough it declared the
independence of 13 colonies from Great Britain; however, to give importance to this
happening it is important to know the political and social context of its time.
The American Revolution, also known as American Revolutionary War or United States War of
Independence took place between 1775 and 1783, delegates from the thirteen American
colonies in Congress started the war because they were dissatisfied at Parliament's tax policy
and lack of colonial representation. (Wallace 2015, "American Revolution")
Afterwards, when France and Spain joined the colonies against Britain in 1778 and 1779, the
revolutionary war took on an international dimension. Moreover, the Netherlands still was
involved in a war with the United Kingdom at the time.
With the help of two groups of organizations, the Continental Army and state militias, the
Americans won the military conflict. Militias were notoriously disorderly, and elected officials
only summoned them for a period of less than three months.
The Continental Congress on July 4, 1776 approved the United States' founding document, the
Declaration of Independence, and proclaimed the independence of thirteen British colonies in
North America from Great Britain. The Congress had determined on July 2 that “these United
Colonies are, and by right ought to be, Free and Independent States,” according to Delegate
Richard Henry Lee of Virginia (by the votes of 12 colonies, with New York abstaining).
SECOND PARAGHRAPH – What it did mean to early Americans?
Just as a baby needs to be born to stay alive, the first Americans needed to separate
themselves from the "motherland" Great Britain.
For a long time, tensions in the 13 colonies only increased due to problems with the king and
the entire political and economic system presented in the governing country.
The Declaration of Independence proclaimed America's independence from Great Britain, one
of the world's most powerful empires. The imposition of taxation by Parliament without
American representation, along with King George III's inability to resolve or resolve his
subjects' complaints, made dissolving the "bands which have connected them" a requirement,
not an option.
The "long train of abuses and usurpations" (Declaration of Independence, US 1776) and the
tyranny shown "over these States" (ibid), as the Declaration made clear, pressured the
colonists to "alter their former system of Government" (ibid). In such conditions, Jefferson
clarified that it was the people's "right, it was their duty" (ibid) to overthrow the oppressive
regime. Americans will rule themselves under the revolutionary ‘system’.
THIRD PARAGRAPH – What it does mean to Americans of today?
Monteiro Lobato, an important writer of Brazilian and world literature, once said that "A
country is made up of men and books" and therefore, to understand the current socio-
political-economic situation of a country, it is necessary to know what the it its’s people feel
and think about it.
To go beyond the arguments narrated in books, research, documentaries, films and podcasts,
the author of this essay set out to find the true meaning of this important document, The
Declaration of Independence, for Americans (of all the American continent) today.
The author interviewed three persons so that the reader of this essay exercises a political-
social criticism and community sense, a United Statesian, a Brazilian and an immigrant living in
the United States of America.
Ms. Lima, safety officer in São Paulo, declared about this theme:
When the United States gained its independence, it was able to initiate proceedings in
relation to its own national policy. They used two important thoughts from the Enlightenment
ideas, thus having a republican and federalist structure. This whole context enabled free trade,
import and export of Brazilian products from Brazil to the USA and increased production due
to foreign demand; effects that have repercussions until, and mainly, today.
Therefore, for Ms. Lima, the economic and political expansion of the United States of America
brought such relevance to this document. The argument previously mentioned is a point to
highlight, taking as an example the 'Monroe Doctrine' when the United States imposed limits
on the Old World (Europe) for the benefit of the continent's economy.
For Ms. Santana, a student in the Biology Course at the Federal University of Pernambuco
(Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, UFPE), born in San Francisco - CA,
The Declaration of Independence marked the birth of the amazing country that we
know today as the United States of America. It was the start of a new era, a free era for
immigrants looking for a new place to start their families and people already living there, this
meaningful paper is the founding rock of the America of the 21st-century.
On the other hand, Miss. Nobre, sophomore at Naugatuck High School, affirms: “The
Declaration of Independence means absolutely nothing to me because the immigrants do not
have any solid rights in the stolen land”.
It is possible to perceive that the referred document is extremely relevant in several areas of
the social vision, although in some experiences in a more intense or lesser way.
CONCLUSION – GIA Key Values.

Works Cited
“The Continental Congress Declared Independence from Great Britain.” US House of

Representatives: History, Art & Archives, history.house.gov/Historical-
Highlights/1700s/The-Continental-Congress-agreed-to-declare-independence-from-Great-
Britain/.
“Declaration of Independence - Essay Example.” Ivy Pandas, ivypanda.com/essays/declaration-

of-independence/.
Wallace, Willard M.. "American Revolution". Encyclopedia Britannica, Invalid Date,

https://www.britannica.com/event/American-Revolution. Accessed 17 March 2021.

Outline - Declaration of Independence

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Outline - Declaration of Independence

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Outline - Declaration of Independence

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

INTRODUCTION – Analogy

THESIS – What I will talk.

FIRST PARAGRAPH – What is the Declaration of Independence?

SECOND PARAGHRAPH – What it did mean to early Americans?

THIRD PARAGRAPH – What it does mean to Americans of today?

CONCLUSION – GIA Key Values.

“The Continental Congress Declared Independence from Great Britain.” US House of

“Declaration of Independence - Essay Example.” Ivy Pandas, ivypanda.com/essays/declaration-

Wallace, Willard M.. "American Revolution". Encyclopedia Britannica, Invalid Date,

You might also like