America and It's Independent State - Essay Example

America and Its Independent July 4th 1776 is a day that will forever live in infamy. A day in which, because of the bravery of 56 souls who dared to risk it all to sign a monumental document known as the Declaration of Independence, America and its people were given the opportunity to live as a free and independent nation. Thus, being free from the totalitarian and oppressive rule that had been known under its existence under Great Britain. The chance to lift the restriction placed down by centuries of monarchy rule and be able to, for the first time, set forth a path towards self-governance and a united people that would one day be referred to as the United States. The chance to have equality that had never been experienced before. The equality of mind, heart and ideas. Equality of one people under one free nation. To have such an insurmountable desire for liberty and freedom would be the driving force for those early participants who sought to achieve a better life and a freer existence for those who wished to have it. The chance to experience a sense of true freedom that was not dictated through means of a totalitarian leader that felt the stronghold on leadership which they had was through means of absolute right of birth, or even the will of god. Rather, it would be the chance to have a nation that which was governed freely rather than by a monarch and to have the essence of life and liberty for all that had long sense been desired for. In the end, after all, “Nations come into being in many ways. Military rebellion, civil strife, acts of heroism, acts of treachery, a thousand greater and lesser clashes between defenders of the old order and supporters of the new-- all these occurrences and more have marked the emergences of new nations, large and small. The birth of our nation included them all. That birth was unique, not only in the immensity of its later impact on the course of world history and the growth of democracy, but also because so many of the threads in our national history run back through time to come together in one place, in one time, and in one document: the Declaration of Independence,” (Using NARA p.1). With all that was riding on the implementation of such a goal, the signing of the Declaration of Independence would have great ramifications for many generations to come. Once considered for centuries to be a precious commodity, freedom and liberty were now within the grasp of those who wished to seek it for themselves and for generations to come. To have the kind of equality that enables for national growth and personal participation for what may be seen as the greater good. To aid in the quest of controlling the destiny of all with the help of everyone. To have leaders that would serve those who relied upon them in such a manner that it would break away from centuries of oppression by one ruler over many whom they were supposed to be ruling. Giving way to the idea of a republic rather than a kingdom. A republic that would be united not just around one solitary ruler whose power was seen as tyrannical and totalitarian, but rather form a commanding force that would unite all of the citizenry together behind their ruling power so that they may, for the first time in history, be one people joined together under one nation. Never would there have been a greater task for many than the notion of achieving independence from Great Britain. For them, it was the opportunity to create a new nation free of the old ways of life. Free of the tyranny and power which saw only absolution, rather than any sort of equality for the citizens who were ruled. With the undoubted fact that while there were those who wished for a separation from the mother country, while on the other hand there were those whose fear and sense of loyalty to the old way of life ruled their judgment when it came to the notion of a permanent separation from England. By and by, it would be the will of the 56 brave souls that would forever be regarded in history as the ones who set forth the chance for the new nation, the United States, to be liberated from their English ruler and find the independence that they so greatly desired and felt was a long time coming. Enabling the new republic to form together under one united front that would set forth the tellings in history of a nation formed under the thirst for a way of life that which they had not seen prior and an opportunity to live that life in such a manner that brings forth strength and unity to everything that which it touches and all whom are touched by the creation of such an independent state of being. For such a decisive measure to occur, there would be a moment of definition to take place. A defining moment that paves the way towards a revolution of ideas and a revolution of man. In this case, the quest for American Independence would have that moment. This being, “The clearest call for independence up to the summer of 1776 came in Philadelphia on June 7. On that date in session in the Pennsylvania State House (later Independence Hall), the Continental Congress heard Richard Henry Lee of Virginia read his resolution beginning; “Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be , totally dissolved,” (Using NARA p.1). The sentiment which Lee himself sets forth to make clear in his statement is that, as far as he feels, the colonies did at that time have the right to separate themselves from the English crown and have the chance to form a political and national power that would be unto its own interests, rather than feeding into the interests of the English crowns self-serving nature. To achieve liberation once and for all from this and create a nation anew from all of the old practices and belief structures that had been a plague for centuries upon centuries. The chance to achieve a republic state that may act in the great good for all and not just a select few. Independence, in its truest form, is the greatest gift of all. To have the independence in order for independent political thinking is vital for any nation to be truly prosperous. Being able to have the equality of all men, to have all thoughts and to have democracy come to the republic that can only been seen under such an independently formed nation. The Declaration of Independence is made up of five distinct parts: the introduction; the preamble; the body, which can be divided into two sections; and a conclusion. The introduction states that this document will “declare” the “causes” that have made it necessary for the American colonies to leave the British Empire. Having stated in the introduction that independence is unavoidable, even necessary, the preamble sets out principles that were already recognized to be “self-evident” by most 18th-century Englishmen, closing with the statement that “a long train of abuses and usurpations... evinces a design to reduce [a people] under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.” The first section of the body of the Declaration gives evidence of the “long train of abuses and usurpations” heaped upon the colonists by King George III. The second section of the body states that the colonists had appealed in vain to their “British brethren” for a redress of their grievances. Having stated the conditions that made independence necessary and having shown that those conditions existed in British North America, the Declaration concludes that “these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved,” (Using NARA p.1). It would be with this document that many would find the freedom from oppression and the chance to live in a society built upon democratic ideas and ruling. The liberty to have the chance to be a part of the governance of ones own lands and the controller of ones own future came as a foreseen blessing after centuries of not even daring to hope for such a chance. The political structure would be undoubtedly shaped by such a revolutionary act. An act of breaking away from thousands of years of entrenched reign by a single monarch ruler and giving way to the liberation of a people, thus paving the way for generations to come that would know a freer, more liberated existence than their ancestors had seen during their time. Throughout the world, America is regarded as being a nation of equality and liberties. A republic where political freedom is something of a common place practice, as well as representation of each state throughout the governing body that seeks to pass laws for the welfare of the public. To truly have a liberated and independent state would mean that the representation is not held in the hands of the select few, but in most instances, is held in such a manner that all shall know it. The act of declaring its independence from England so long ago has remained a lasting remembrance of the enduring nature of the American spirit and the promise of what was new and desired by those who had grown tired of the totalitarian rule that is commonplace for living under monarchical power and the oppression that often times comes from living under such rule. Many have fought wars and died for the very freedom that was hoped for when the United States first declared its independence. The chance to vote for an elected body of government and to live free and clear from the notion that the citizenry, no matter what they may desire, has no entitlement whatsoever to have a government that works for them. Rather, a nation of people was coming from an environment which had been of forced ruling that often times did not have the best interests of the public at heart, but rather maintained the sole interests of the select few and most notably, kept the monarch in the place of absolute power that he, or sometimes she, felt had been instilled in them by god, as well as in reality was what they felt to be their birthright and honor. Having never lived under an oppressive ruling power, it can in fact be quite difficult to sympathize with those who felt the sudden and intense desire to break free from the English borders and to be able to form a country that would encourage participation in government and that which goes into it, rather than keeping the governing body in a tight box that is comprised of a king/queen and a parliamentary body that has seen its membership have no change except to have those seats inherited. The Declaration is a true testament to longevity and the lasting power of the written word. The lasting power of the desires, hopes and dreams of those 56 individuals in 1776 that, if they were to be successful, that the newly created country which would come about from the signing of this document, would be one that would live on strong and resilient for generations to come. With the original framers long since deceased, it is ultimately up to those who have come after them to hold on to and continue to build upon the earlier notion and idea of freedom that comes with unlimited hopes and promise for the future. Really, the freedom to elect whom the republic wishes to elect, which brings into focus the crucial nature of the electoral process during times of national and global uncertainty. After September 11, 2001, the nation rallied behind their elected governmental body in the hopes of making sense of the senseless that had occurred. The rate at which the nation rallied together after such a national tragedy goes back to what the original framers of the Declaration of Independence, as well as the Constitution, had originally hoped for. That, when the need came, the country which they had gave so much for in creating, would have and be able to find the strength within itself to find the resolve to overcome any sort of attack that it would face to its interests, whether it be within its own borders, or an attack(s) to its interests on an international level. A freedom to walk the streets without great fear, the notion that our opinion, in some way, does in fact matter and that, as it all comes down to it, the United States government after all is a government built “by the people and for the people” as the Declaration so eloquently says within its words. Another such assertion of the involvement that the citizenry has within the framework of the history of the United States, can be found within the first line of the United States Constitution. That is, “We the people, in order to form a more perfect union...” A line which, in many ways, best sums up the overall ideal of the United States. A nation which, despite its imperfections as they may be, was still created to be a nation that was for its people in service and created by its people to be that way to begin with when the signers set forth to create the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain so very long ago. A document that, throughout the ages, has continuously shown the strength and vitality that is the American sense of will. Political freedom is something that many can understand and wish for. The freedom to speak, debate, as well as vote, is one of the most precious rights that has been given to those who live in the United States. Given by those who gave a great deal around the time of the signing to ensure that, as the years went on, their new country would be given every opportunity to flourish as well as see its own people flourish under an independent democratic existence. To have such representation formed through a democratic voting process that, when it comes down to it, despite whatever imperfections it may have is still something to cherish and appreciate, in light of how many people throughout the world who still reside under authoritarian monarchy rule. 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. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, having its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. Such has been the patient suffrance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. (Using History.com p.1). As it says within the text of the declaration, it was the quest for liberty that served as one of the driving forces for the desire to achieve independence from Great Britain. To remove themselves from the harsh constraints of centuries under English rule and the chance to form a democratically run republic that will be by the people and for the people. In looking at that, it goes to show what generations as of late have long since believed about the American promise. The promise of being out from under the absolute power that the English monarchy had been forced on its people and have the chance to start anew with a added sense of promise for what could become of a new nation under a new governing system. In particular a system that was created by the will of men and with its goals being sought and considered after looking at the greater will and the hopes of those whom are being governed. The Declaration text ends as follows; We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right out to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. (Using History.com p.1). In the 232 years since those strong and resilient 56 individuals gathered together to produce a document that would garner independence for their young nation, their intent was at its core very simple in nature. A chance to live in a liberated manner that would garner them the chance to be in a free, democratic republic that would give the chance to have legal decisions for the republic made by a representing body that was chosen, in the end, “by the people & for the people.” To have such a government would give way to a stronger sense of national strength and a sense of total unity towards the goals and hopes of all citizens. Ultimately, what the American Independence Day meas in the end is the understanding of the importance of living in a free existence for the common good and the realization that in order to achieve such a free existence to have liberty and representation that is independent, the framers were correct in asserting that American did in fact have to declare as such. Works Cited History.com. “Text of the Declaration of Independence.” Date Accessed: 16 October 2008. URL: http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_ type_id=691&display_order=1&sub_display_order=4&mini_id=1075. NARA: The National Archives Experience. “Declaration of Independence: A History.” Date Accessed: 15 October 2008. URL: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/ declaration_history.html. Read More