Preview

Thoughtful Questions and Answers on the Declaration of Independence for Government or U.S. History

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
995 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Thoughtful Questions and Answers on the Declaration of Independence for Government or U.S. History
1. Jefferson wrote, "…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…" Clearly describe three examples from any period of American History when Americans attempted to follow these words. One example of a time that Americans attempted to alter or change the U.S. Government was during the civil war. At this time, Southern (Confederate) states tried to withdraw from the union. Another example is how since the 1990s, Texas has had certain pleas to leave the nation and become the Republic of Texas. An even more recent example is members and candidates of the Tea Party. Ironically named after the Boston Tea Party of 1773, these people claim to want to get back to the nation originally founded by the forefathers of America; however they petition in many varieties to attempt to overthrow, alter or succeed from the U.S
2. What do you think Jefferson meant by the following: "Prudence, indeed will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes…?" What might be some examples of light and transient causes in today's government? Explain. Some examples of these light and transient causes would be, for one, the recent issues in the economy. Although, economic recession is not good, it is not a cause to disband a government ad it is not always entirely due to the government. Another example would be new Obama-care. Although not everyone in America agrees that we should have nationwide health care, this is also light and transient and not worth overthrowing of the country. Another light and transient cause could be anything from Social Security to a leader of a different democratic party takes over.
3. Jefferson wrote, "…But when a long train of abuses and usurpations … evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism…" What do some groups in today's society (Examples:militia men, Communist Party,
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Gke1 Task 3: The Scramble For Africa
    • 804 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Gke1 Task 3: The Scramble For Africa

    the Boston Tea Party, The Intolerable Acts, and The First Continental Congress, are just a few.…

    • 804 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Does Thomas Jefferson Use Ethos In The Declaration Of Independence
    • 575 Words
    • 3 Pages

    How Does Thomas Jefferson Use Ethos In The Declaration Of Independence

    “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” sparks the idea that everyone is equal and are given this equality by God, not the English government (Jefferson 679). This statement shines a light on a belief that is well known, but may have been forgotten through King George’s tyranny. Jefferson helps the colonists see that their basic rights should not be subject to change by King George and that these rights are imperishable. Then, Jefferson presses onto his belief “that whenever any Form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the People to alter or to abolish it...” which is the case of the tyrannical English rule in the colonies (Jefferson 679). This statement questions why the colonists would consider…

    • 575 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Language And Diction In Thomas Jefferson's The Declaration Of Independence
    • 396 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Language And Diction In Thomas Jefferson's The Declaration Of Independence

    In the introductory paragraph, Jefferson presents to the reader a troublesome situation where radical measures must to be taken. His thesis consists of the essentiality to declare a flaw when one is eminent and therefore the need to rectify it by disengagement. The speaker of the paragraph is imprecise, nevertheless assumes an omnipotent tone. This omnipotent, all knowing tone provides the declaration added significance and importance. This wise tone is characterized…

    • 396 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    United States Declaration of Independence and New Productive Jobs
    • 770 Words
    • 4 Pages

    United States Declaration of Independence and New Productive Jobs

    1. Jefferson wrote, "…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…" Clearly describe three examples from any period of American History when Americans attempted to follow these words.…

    • 770 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Declaration Of Independence DBQ
    • 1139 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Declaration Of Independence DBQ

    In the two decades prior to the Revolution, the Americans built up a series of grievances against the British government. Those complaints were clearly articulated in the Declaration of Independence. The colonists did this to prove to every other country in the worlds that their reason for war was justified. It is also important to keep in mind that when Thomas Jefferson wrote this, he did not mean for it to be a historical text, he wrote it as a persuasive essay to gain support from other European countries. So the fact that some of the grievances listed may be fabricated or altercated, is only natural if you want to gain allies, and make your parent country look bad. The colonists didn 't want to quietly separate form the British; they wanted…

    • 1139 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Thomas Jefferson's Influence On Democracy
    • 111 Words
    • 1 Page

    Thomas Jefferson's Influence On Democracy

    After the war, people need a new form of government, but there was no agreement on what the future government should be. Thomas Jefferson, one of the towering figure in American policy, believed not only that the basis of policies are from improving the public welfare, but also the freedom of speech and of the press. In this sense, he was a great democrat. He also believed that the public enlightenment should be preceded in order to achieve a true democracy. In other words, he believed that the here and the hereafter of a country prosperity depends upon the extension of national education. He have been called shapers of American…

    • 111 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Declaration Of Independence Research Paper
    • 357 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Declaration Of Independence Research Paper

    On July 4th, 1776 56 men signed the Declaration of Independence, which became one of the most important and influential documents in history. It agreed to “mutually pledge to each other, our fortunes, our lives and our sacred honor.” The document made it clear that the thirteen American colonies that were at war with Great Britain regarded themselves as independent states, and no longer as part of the British Empire. The men knew that by signing this they were committing treason but they did it anyways in the hope to give the American colonies freedom.…

    • 357 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    What Is Thomas Jefferson's View On The Purpose Of Government
    • 669 Words
    • 3 Pages

    What Is Thomas Jefferson's View On The Purpose Of Government

    Ryan Ribant October 29th, 2014 5th Hour 1. I feel that Thomas Jefferson’s decision to begin with “The Unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America” was necessary because it showed that all of the colonies were supportive and desired independence. No they couldn’t of because they needed all of the colonies to fully agree on independence before they signed it. Jefferson’s reason for a formal declaration of independence was so that other countries such as France, know that the Colonists did not want to be ruled by anyone. I think it was necessary for Jefferson to state the “causes which impel them to separation” because it shows all the wrongs the British have done and shows why they were deciding to declare independence.…

    • 669 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Eleanor Roosevelt Research Paper
    • 852 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Eleanor Roosevelt Research Paper

    The Boston Tea Party happened in 1776, which came then the Wall Street crash that led up to Franklin Roosevelt’s plan in creating the New Deal. “This brought in various types of programs that included relief, recovery, and reform” (History).” Franklin Roosevelt led the United States from isolationism to victory over Nazi Germany and its allies in World War II” (History). “By 1950, the United States found itself embroiled in the Korean War”…

    • 852 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Declaration Of Independence Research Paper
    • 420 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Declaration Of Independence Research Paper

    The Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776 and was written to give the colonies independence from England. The DOI explained to American colonists and to the rest of the world why the colonies were declaring their independence. The 13 colonies were upset British control due to the Parliament control, unable to sell products to other countries and the taxes placed on goods along with other expenses they were told to pay for. Because of such mistreatment the colonies decided to form their own identity, in which they formed the First Continental Congress in order to be represented in front of the King. King George did not agree with the colonies beliefs and deemed them as traitors to the British country. One man by the name of Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet, Common Sense, which focused on the colonists’ frustrations with King George III; he also expressed that it makes sense…

    • 420 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    America's Beliefs In The Declaration Of Independence
    • 325 Words
    • 2 Pages

    America's Beliefs In The Declaration Of Independence

    America is a country that was based on many solid beliefs with many sacrifices. The Declaration of Independence is a paper that has become real for people who truly want to have a better life. Freedom was not free and it was not easy for everyone to have a good life. Not everyone had a good quality of life, better work and good education. America has always been a country that has good opportunities.Those beliefs were for the people that lived in the borders of this country to have what is believed to be rights. This great place has always had a lot of possibilities for people who want them. Within the Declaration of Independence it states that people have rights to be equal, rights to have liberty and rights to seek happiness.…

    • 325 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    What Is Thomas Jefferson's Argument For The Power Of Government
    • 616 Words
    • 3 Pages

    What Is Thomas Jefferson's Argument For The Power Of Government

    One of Jefferson's strongest advocacies for the common citizen was his ideas o the rights of smaller government, i.e. that of the towns and states, over the power of the federal government. This dilution of power he believed would be more in the interest of the common citizen, because they would be able to better serve their own interests. Although Jefferson's idea of small government was effectively disbanded after the constitution was written, he still advocated constantly for the rights of states, although his arguments were often fruitless.…

    • 616 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Dbq Essay On The Declaration Of Independence
    • 562 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Dbq Essay On The Declaration Of Independence

    The United States was not founded upon the principles of the Christian religion. The Declaration of Independence clearly states that the Colonies are separating from British rule because of their unjust and unfair actions towards the Colonies. The Constitution and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom express how religion is free to choose and not enforced in public office. The United States was established because the people wanted to live under better conditions and constitute their own laws.…

    • 562 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Declaration Of Independence: Government And Culture
    • 653 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Declaration Of Independence: Government And Culture

    The Declaration of Independence. A document that not only shaped the government and the culture of the United States, but shaped the thinking of the entire world. Thomas Jefferson was asked by his committee to take on the job of writing the Declaration of Independence, and after some help from John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, the Declaration of Independence was sent to Congress. Congress ended up shortening the document by twenty-five percent, but Jefferson’s powerful words still remained. Consider the four key ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence; equality, unalienable rights, consent of the governed, and the right to alter or abolish government. Then write an essay which explains why three of these ideals are important to…

    • 653 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Declaration of Independence
    • 695 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Declaration of Independence

    I think Jefferson feels that the rule of government is to be aware of whether it is corrupt or not. Its their duty to throw out or establish a new or better government.…

    • 695 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics