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Ethical Issues In The Declaration Of Independence

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The Declaration of Independence, penned and published on July 4th 1776, is perhaps the most famous document in the short history of human rights. Written largely by Thomas Jefferson, it is the first succinct, unashamedly loud declaration of the equal rights of man. The Declaration took the philosophy of men like Hobbes and Locke and put it into practice, deciding that the “self-evident” rights of man could no longer be abused by tyrannical government. The Declaration affirms that the rights to “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” were written “Laws of Nature” that every man should be afforded equally and without limitations. It also declares that the oppression of rights is wrong and tyrannical. The rule of George III over the United …show more content…

The Declaration states plainly that the infringement of their rights should not be tolerated and that “it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish” any government or state abusing their authority over their subjects. Therefore, according to Jefferson, it is the duty of the state to protect these fundamental rights of man and nature, and that the right to challenge and depose abusive systems of government should be included in those fundamental rights. The Declaration of Independence is a linguistic feat, as well as a philosophical and political one. Jefferson expectedly crafted each sentence, carefully and deliberately chose his words, to leave the strongest possible impact. The document has three distinct and deliberate semantic fields running through it; one of oppression and tyranny, one of necessity and inevitability, and one of freedom and security. The crimes of the English government become harsh and repressive through Jefferson’s prose; words like “usurpations”, “destructive”, “imposing” and “depriving” create the image of a daunting figurehead actively carrying

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