How did the Declaration of Independence affect the government and society of the United States?
Hola/Twenty One Pilots -- please use the same name for your posts.
What don't you understand about the answers you've already received in answer to this question?
Please read through the Declaration of Independence carefully. How might the U.S. be different if we didn't believe this document?
What did the Declaration of Independence accomplish? What did it mean? You might want to read your text materials. Or try this:
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/
and/or this:
http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/declaration-of-independence
We've posted some links for you on the Revolution and now the Declaration. The two are inextricably related, if you haven't figure that out yet. I recommend to read lots, then tell us what conclusions you come to!
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=&oq=the+american+rev&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4VRHB_enUS648US649&q=the+american+revolutionary+war&gs_l=hp..1.0i131j0l4.0.0.3.318740...........0.VCHUpi4V7Go
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The Declaration of Independence had a significant impact on both the government and society of the United States. It played a pivotal role in shaping the nation's founding principles, political structure, and aspirations for a democratic system of governance. Let's break down the effects on the government and society separately:
Government:
1. Birth of a Nation: The Declaration of Independence marked the birth of the United States as a sovereign nation, separate from British colonial rule. It established the idea that power derives from the consent of the governed, challenging the notion of monarchy.
2. Inspired Constitutional Framework: The Declaration laid the groundwork for the development of the U.S. Constitution. It emphasized equality, natural rights, and the pursuit of happiness, which influenced the Constitution's foundational principles, such as individual freedoms, separation of powers, and the system of checks and balances.
3. Legitimized Revolutionary Action: By articulating the grievances against British rule, the Declaration legitimized the Revolutionary War and justified the colonists' struggle for independence. It provided a moral and philosophical justification for the actions taken by the revolutionaries.
Society:
1. Popularizing Equality: The Declaration's assertion that "all men are created equal" contributed to the popularization of the idea of equality among the American populace. It served as a catalyst for the ongoing struggle for civil rights and social equality in the United States, helping to inspire movements like abolitionism and later the civil rights movement.
2. Impact on Slavery: Although initially excluding enslaved individuals and women from its vision of equality, the Declaration's principles of liberty and national identity later became a bedrock for anti-slavery arguments. It laid the groundwork for future abolitionist movements and the eventual end of legal slavery.
3. National Identity and Patriotism: The Declaration helped forge a national identity and a sense of patriotism among Americans. Its iconic phrases, such as "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," resonated with generations and continue to be celebrated as core American values.
To understand the specifics and nuances of how the Declaration of Independence affected the government and society, exploring historical texts, scholarly articles, primary sources, and the writings of the founding fathers would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.