ipl-logo

Declaration Of Independence By Thomas Hobbes

1618 Words7 Pages

There were many philosophies and ideas that shaped what the United States of America was to become. Its founders focused on the ideas and notions of previous governments and societies as they seek to form a perfect union that was designed for the people and run by the people. Central to this new country was the notion of justice and how to best obtain it throughout society. To this, the question was always answered by preserving the individual liberties of each person as they can discern for themselves what they wish to achieve in society. Though the founders pulled ideas from Aristotle and Jean Jacq Rousseau it is evident that the principles of Thomas Hobbes were fundamental to the formation of their new Government and country. Justice …show more content…

Turning to the Declaration of Independence it is seen in the line “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” (Declaration of Independence). In this the founders intended for each person to decide for themselves what they wished to accomplish here in the States, to make them happy and not for the government to decide for them and determine what they can or cannot accomplish. In the phrase “the pursuit of happiness” they being the government are not guaranteeing that one will achieve happiness but that everyone has the right to seek out those things that will make them …show more content…

In the Bill of Rights, the government states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” thus ensuring the people the liberty to practice any religion they choose without the restriction of the government limiting their beliefs (Constitution). The government is also seen protecting the citizens when they are charged with a crime, as they are innocent until proven guilty. This is done through a fair trial by jury which decides the verdict and punishment for the individual if they shall get convicted. This process ensures justice for the people who are convicted of crimes have been shown to have committed the crime and are guilty, rather than a completely innocent individual. It is seen countless times in which the government has made every attempt to ensure the individual can have as much liberty as they can within

Show More
Related

Founder's Toolbox And The Ideals Of John Locke And James Harrington

562 Words | 3 Pages

The elements of the "Founder's Toolbox" and the ideals of John Locke and James Harrington were some of major intellectual influences that led to the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. The Founders based the structure, participation, and leadership of their government on writings from Harrington and included them in the Constitution. The moral sense from Locke provided a good base for the law of the United States government and was included in the Bill of Rights. These principles helped model the system of government we enjoy today.

Read More

Summary Of The American Declaration Of Independence By Garry Wills

943 Words | 4 Pages

In his book, Garry Wills attempt to tell the story, or stories of the American Declaration of Independence. He begins by talking about the Continental Congress and how they would arrive at a document that would be the base for their revolution. While Jefferson is accredited to writing the final draft, politics prevailed, important things were left out, and the political ideologies of the delegates was considered. Wills then begins to discuss in more detail, Thomas Jefferson’s original intent concerning the Declaration. He discusses how the ideas are rooted in scientific inquiry and then routed through the moral ideas in order to apply them politically.

Read More

Checks And Balances In Article I Of The Constitution

1004 Words | 5 Pages

John Adams said, “Liberty once lost, is lost forever.” This is the main reason the American Founders placed so many safeguards in our nation’s Constitution. Many ideas and theories the founders used when writing the Constitution were from philosophers of the Age of Enlightenment. Specifically, the French writer, Baron de Montesquieu was perhaps the most influential with his political ideas (We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution 25). The founders created the three separate branches: Executive, Judicial and Legislative, to ensure that America is never again governed by a tyrant; however, an intricate system of checks and balances is necessary in order to ensure the equality of these branches.

Read More

Thomas Jefferson's 'Declaration Of Independance'

495 Words | 2 Pages

Hannah Callahan English 10 U 1 Essay 10/24/2016 Declaration of Independance The writings of Thomas Jefferson and Richard Henry Lee are what our country has been based upon. Both men had an important role in the formation of this country after this Revolution. Henry Lee provided his insight and ideas that were later used as a foundation for what

Read More

Benjamin Franklin Declaration Of Independence

347 Words | 2 Pages

On January 17, 1706 Benjamin Franklin the “man of electricity” was born. He was the youngest of 10 kids, his mother and father's names were Josiah Franklin and Abiah Folger, his father's second wife. Benjamin's father , in total, would have 17 children. Benjamin's father was only able to send him to school for a year, but being a clergy took many years. Benjamin’s brother, James, was a printer Benjamin and so, Benjamin would help sell his products on the streets in these next 3 paragraphs.

Read More

Apush Dbq Essay

2809 Words | 12 Pages

(Q4) As a scholar in 1789, looking at the United States Constitution I would see many ideas from the Enlightenment. There would be ideas from both Thomas Hobbes and John Locke reflected within the document. There are parts in the Constitution that explain how to build a powerful government to maintain control and keep the people in line. Thomas Hobbes believed that a strong government was a necessity. There are also parts that reflect classical liberalism however, which pushed for individualism and the government only having power that people allow it to have.

Read More

How Does Paine Create A New American Government

562 Words | 3 Pages

The American government that we know today, had many troubles when it first came together when the Constitution was first ratified in 1788. There had been many failed attempts at creating a new and successful government, such as the Articles of Confederation the first plan for the new American government. This proved to be very unsuccessful because the states held all federal power, while the national government had very little. In order to please both the Federalists and the Anti-Federalist, each party agreed to the Constitution with the addition of the Bill of Rights. Documents like the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and the above documents are heavily influenced by the writings of John Locke, Baron de Montesquieu,

Read More

The Founding Fathers Ideological Values

85 Words | 1 Pages

The Founding Fathers are the cornerstone of all the ideological values that are American. The three aspects of American ideology guided past Americans and continue to guide future Americans towards a moral high ground. Thomas Jefferson, who drafted the Declaration of Independence, did so for the good of all Americans, present and future. American is the greatest country on earth.

Read More

Personal Narrative: The Declaration Of Independence

288 Words | 2 Pages

I was selling shoes to a kid named Great Fire. He was drinking tea at the time. He had 1 dollar and wanted a new pair of church shoes . My store was at the the corner market in Boston and was one of the best clothing stores in Boston. After I was done with Great fire, he left with his new church shoes.

Read More

Preamble Declaration Of Independence

469 Words | 2 Pages

The Preamble was the introduction of The Declaration of Independence. It explains the purpose of this document (Jefferson). The Preamble builds associations between philosophical theory and functional political issues, communicates the essential estimations of the new American government, furthermore speaks to different countries to acknowledge the new country. The introduction depends intensely on the philosophical and political thoughts of the Enlightenment period of the eighteenth century Europe, including the thoughts of Thomas Hobbes, Jean Jacques Rousseau, and, most especially, John Locke. Locke trusted that people, by nature, had the right to protection of life, health, freedom and possession (The Declaration of Independence).

Read More

Declaration Of Freedom

472 Words | 2 Pages

I believe that we don’t completely uphold the principles of the Declaration of Independence. There is racism, broken rights, bullying, and so many horrible things that disobey the Declaration of Independence’s principles. However, there are also law abiding citizens who obey everything and have all their rights, then there are heroes, who dedicate their whole lives to making this into a completely good country that upholds every principle of the Declaration of Independence. There is still freedom of speech and we still have the right to be whatever religion we want without having to deal with people coming to our door and saying we are a traitor and that we should be executed.

Read More

Thomas Jefferson And Niccolo Machiavelli's The Morals Of The Prince

762 Words | 4 Pages

In this document, Jefferson declared the need to separate from the British Empire and voiced the opinion of many Americans views about our rights as humans. Additionally, Jefferson believes that God created every man with rights no one can take away, the right to live, the right to freedom, and the right the pursue happiness. Jefferson goes on to argue, that we the people have rights that cannot be taken away and it is the right of the people to abolish such a government, which tries to take away our God given rights. In support of Thomas Jefferson, the ideal government should be designed and ran for the people, and judged by how effectively it secures the rights of the people while promoting happiness and equality. The government is the only foundation that can make our rights of justice, liberty, and equality, become reality.

Read More

Rhetorical Analysis Of Declaration Of Independence

225 Words | 1 Pages

“America was established not to create wealth but to realize a vision, to realize an ideal - to discover and maintain liberty among men“ (Woodrow Wilson). Liberty is the vision Thomas Jefferson wrote for in his famous document, “Declaration of Independence.” He, and many others, believed in the separation of the 13 colonies from England, separation from heavy taxes and a restricting government. The authors of the “Declaration of Independence” wrote with exceptional diction, trustworthy ethos,and righteous(?) tone to unify americans and declare separation from England. Jefferson instantly starts off his essay talking about the human right to “dissolve the political bands”, and to become equal to nature and laws of God.

Read More

Thomas Hobbes Influence On Thomas Jefferson's Declaration Of Enlightenment

493 Words | 2 Pages

There were many philosophers in the 17th and 18th century that influenced and inspired the founders of our country. For instance, John Locke believed that life, liberty, and property should be our natural rights as humans and if the government could not secure these rights then the people could get rid of them. That idea impacted Thomas Jefferson when he wrote the Declaration of Independence. This was the perfect time to develop different theories and contradictions because this was right around the time of the printing press and protestant reformation where people started to question the catholic church. Other philosophers like Thomas Hobbes, Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Rousseau impacted founders like George Washington and James Madison who have positively affected this country in many different ways.

Read More

Natural Law And Augustine: Natural And Revealed Law

984 Words | 4 Pages

Having been adamant believers in such laws, the founding fathers thought the best way to protect the natural rights of American citizens was to establish laws that are in agreement with divine laws. They believed that God brought the world into being with series of principles by which it should be governed. From their perspective, the American people would not be able to continue to exist as an independent civilization without the protection of these principles. Thomas Jefferson, referring to Natural Law, wrote the following words in the Declaration of Independence: "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" (The Declaration of Independence, U.S. 1776, para. 2). In writing those words in the Constitution, Jefferson believed that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness were part of the human nature that every human being is entitled to.

Read More

More about Declaration Of Independence By Thomas Hobbes

Related Topics

Open Document