The Declaration of Independence - Essay Example

Thesis statement: The Declaration of Independence is the most significant event that has happened in the history of the region and the nation and hence should not be given a lesser status as a fight for equal rights and justice. “Drafted by Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776, the Declaration of Independence is at once the nation's most cherished symbol of liberty and Jefferson's most enduring monument” (National Archives n.d)1. A study of literature reveals that the fundamental principles embedded in the Declaration of Independence are the concepts of freedom, independence and interdependence (Armitage)2 are the components of liberty.

This provides solid evidence of its significance as to being the most important of all American documents which includes all the concepts mentioned above. It is argued that the three concepts which form the foundation of the Declaration is extremely significant when compared to other events that occurred in the country. The article by Armitage provides examples of the three concepts as given below. . The Declaration of Independence and the wordings in the actual document had an influence in the eventual abolition of slavery in the country.

For example, people and groups across the United States, especially in the North justified abolition on one of the central concepts of the Declaration. “The anti-slavery movement in the United States drew, as did Lincoln himself, drew upon the “created equal” principle recognized in the Declaration of Independence” (Anastaplo 2001)4. There is no disputing the fact that this was a historical landmark event in the history of the country and was influenced by the Declaration (event and text) discussed in the paper.

Another example of this influence can even be traced further back, during the Massachusetts Ratifying Convention in 1788 when Washington was the President of the Constitutional Convention. Gen Thompson supporting abolition of slavery made a statement addressed to the Washington – “Mr. President, shall it be said, that after we have established our own independence and freedom, we make slaves of others? (Henretta et al 2009)5. While no apparent result emerged from this convention, the above statement shows the impact (the meaning and substance) of the Declaration of Independence had on Gen Thompson himself and likeminded representatives in the then government.

This shows that at least in two instances (given above) the Declaration of Independence had played a part in influencing anti-slavery sentiments and the eventual abolition in 1865. The third and final argument supporting the unique and highest significant status is the impact it created regarding the concept of liberty and its