The Declaration Of Independence

3 Pages 639 Words

The Declaration of Independence is considered one of the most important documents in world history because its effects were felt around the world and not only in its place of origin, the United States. While blacks used context from the declaration to challenge slavery in the United States, the French used its ideals to start their own revolution. The Declaration of Independence can be seen to be one of the few documents that had a profound impact on the world, and this can be easily seen because of the changes it brought forth.
The Declaration of Independence was a document made by several delegates of the U.S. in 1776. It was simply made as a document that declared the independence of the 13 British colonies in America. On July 4, 1776 the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration after a few changes were made to it. Even though the Declaration’s main purpose was to declare the colonies independent, there were many other ideas the declaration addressed. There are many important abstractions in the Declaration of Independence. These abstractions such as: rights, freedom, liberty and happiness have become the foundations of American society and have helped shape the “American identity”.
Power, another abstraction that reoccurs in all major parts of the Declaration plays equally important role in shaping the “American identity”. Even though power is addressed very indirectly in the declaration its existence is still valued. All of these important abstractions collectively have led to major changes in the world. A very simple phrase: “all men are created equal” which is included in the Declaration of Independence was quickly used by blacks in the U.S. to question slavery. They wondered if all men were indeed created equal then how could one man own another man. “The ideal of equity led Northern states to free slaves within their borders in the 1780s, 1790s and 1800s”. (Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2000). The ...