Analysis of the Declaration of Independence - Essay Example

Jefferson’s choice of the particular words used in the declaration was to express a shared understanding of “the American mind. “He showed what amounted to a collective political creed by stating that certain propositions were “self-evident” truths.

The Declaration of Independence states that among the “truths” that Americans hold to be “self-evident” is “all Men are created equally.” (Jefferson,1). This statement related to all people regardless of their gender, occupation, or color. It means that we are either created equally by birth or naturally political equals; therefore, no one is by birth a subject of a ruler or is automatically the ruler of others. Political equality thus does not define human equality. We are all created moral equals, and we are of equal value and worth in the eyes of the Creator.

Jefferson stated, “…all Men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights...” (Jefferson,1). This statement provides evidence that the Declaration was a precursor to the Bill of Rights. Inalienable rights are those that cannot be given up even if there was an alternative to it. According to the concept of inalienable rights, the section in the Declaration of Independence liberty, life, and the pursuit of happiness is a right. The existence of unalienable rights does not mean that a person cannot be subjected to attacks, false imprisonment, and other forms of oppression. Unalienable rights mean that such rights are not morally justifiable, and therefore we have a ground for moral complaint. Read More