Declaration: Birth of America

Thomas Jefferson found inspiration for the Declaration of Independence in other documents of freedom. One such document was Virginia’s Declaration of Rights. Written by George Mason, it was adopted by the Virginia Constitutional Convention on June 12, 1776. Sections of this document were copied by many other colonies, and played a clear role in defining America’s Bill of Rights. The Virginia Declaration of Rights contains sixteen entries. Listen closely for phrases and ideas that are similar to those in The Declaration of Independence.

Their case for independence solidly stated, the document concludes with the declaration that “these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states.” The last sentence elegantly conveys that the founding fathers knew they were risking everything they had in this endeavor, including “our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

Following the grievances, there is a paragraph that shifts attention from King George III to the colonists’ British brethren. It explains that the colonists had also appealed in vain to the people of Britain, not just to the government.

The fourth section, containing only one grievance, is the final charge toward the king. It maintains that every attempt to set things right has been met with repeated injury to the colonists.

The third set of charges explains the king’s cruelty in waging war against his American subjects. These five grievances include some of the strongest language in the document.

The second group of charges describes how the king partners with others to subject America to unconstitutional measures. These ten grievances include the practice of taxing the colonists without consent, and cutting off trade routes to the new world.

The first group of charges includes twelve grievances, and each refers the way the king has abused his executive power. The charges include dissolving colonial legislatures, maintaining a standing army during peacetime, and obstructing justice.

To make a solid case for freedom, Jefferson includes 28 concrete reasons for the colonies’ separation from Britain. This indictment of King George III is drafted as a list of grievances. These accounts are not listed randomly, but arranged into four distinct groups.

The preamble of the Declaration boldly states that all people have the right to set up their own government. Again, it does not reference Britain specifically – it is broad and universal in its design. Some of the most famous language of the declaration lives in this carefully written paragraph of only 202 words.

The Declaration’s introductory paragraph is designed as one long sentence. It is general in nature, and does not directly reference the connection between the American colonies and Britain.

The Declaration of Independence is one of America’s most well-known state documents. It was drafted by Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776, and expresses the desire of many colonists to be free. The document itself is arranged in five sections: the introduction, the preamble, the indictment of King George III, the denunciation of the British people, and the conclusion.