The Declaration of Independence: A Reflection on American History

This paper reflects on the importance of The Declaration of Independence in American history and its relevance to contemporary issues. The paper discusses the history of the document and its significance in the formation of the United States. It also explores the contemporary relevance of the document in the face of growing intolerance and communal tension within the country. The paper concludes by emphasizing the power of the people to dissolve any corrupted political faction and the importance of unity against oppressive power.

Running head: HUMANITIES
HUMANITIES
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note:

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The national archives is a prestigious institution of the United States of America
which holds most of the important documents that helped in the formation and founding of
the nation (Wills, 2018). The archives building is situated in the Pennsylvania Avenue,
Northwest, Washington, D.C. the three important documents known as the Constitution the
Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights are all preserved in this particular
facility.
The particular primary example taken for this paper is The Declaration of
Independence. This was constituted on July 4th 1776. This was the declaration when the
thirteen American colonies under the British Empire would declare independence from the
colonial power (Tsesis, 2015). Therefore this declaration is of immense value to the
American nation.
Personally after visiting the National Archives and watching the various documents
finally I had my eye on the Declaration of Independence document. The preamble of the
United States is as follows “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created
equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among
these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (Archives.gov, 2018). What have
understood is the Declaration of Independence of the United States start with stating that the
government which is corrupted and the power has been concentrated in the hands of wrong
political factions, it is imperative to change such a power and declare separation for the sake
of common good. “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men,
deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of
Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to
abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and
organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety
and Happiness” (Archives.gov, 2018). These statements have profound values on the basis of

2HUMANITIES
the foundation of the United States of America. The history of the struggle of the people of
this nation in the face of the oppressions can be clearly understood from the declaration of
independence. The way oppressive governments and powers has been condoled proves the
wrath of the people of the 13 states who were continuously oppressed and then they had to
revolt against such a system (Washington & Army, 2014).
Some contemporary issue can also be discussed in this regard. There is a growing
debate about intolerance and communal tension within the country. (Link-
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/06/books/review/kathleen-belew-bring-the-war-
home.html) . The political factions are hungry to gain power by using such tools. The words
of the declaration of the independence appears to be true in the face of the contemporary
problems faced by the nation today. The ultimate power has been dedicated to the people and
it is said in the declaration of independence that it is them who will take the final decision
about the fate of the nation.
The governed will also govern and any political faction that becomes corrupted by
accumulation of power will be dissolved by the people of the nation, which is what happened
4th July 1776 when the 13 states finally broke the shackles of slavery and revolted against the
colonial British power to become free and Independent. It is seen in the world history that
whenever power has become corrupt and whenever people have been united against such
oppressive power, those powers have fallen.

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Reference:
Archives.gov. (2018). The Declaration of Independence. Retrieved from
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration
Tsesis, A. (2015). The Declaration of Independence and Constitutional Interpretation. S. Cal.
L. Rev., 89, 369.
Washington, G., & Army, C. (2014). The American Revolution: 1775-1783. Vol. II. Boston:
Little, Brown.
Wills, G. (2018). Inventing America: Jefferson's Declaration of Independence. Vintage.