Saturday, August 10, 2013

What does the last paragraph state in The Declaration of Independence? The Declaration of Independence (last paragraph): We, therefore, the...


"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"



This portion
states that the colonies should be free and independent of Britain,a and all political
allegiances and connections should be ended.  This would allow the colonies to rule and
govern themselves, instead of having to be governed by the British government.  One of
the biggest problems that colonists had against the Crown was that they were being taxed
and unrepresented by a government 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.  Based on ideas
from European enlightened thinkers, like Jean Jacques Rousseau, they should be free to
govern themselves, and should not have to be governed by a monarch that does not have
their best interests in mind.


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"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."



As states independent
from Britain, they would have the power to go to war, negotiate peace, form their own
alliances (they formed one with France to help fight the British during the
Revolutionary War), set up their own trading systems where their profits do not have to
be sent back to the Crown, etc.  In this portion, the writers are emphasizing different
powers and responsibilities that they are not getting as colonies of the British
Crown.



"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"



This last line
maintains that the signers of this Declaration are willing to put their lives, money,
and honor on the line to achieve independence.  They reference God to help garner
support for their cause- with a firm reliance that God will protect us (because what we
are doing is just), we pledge everything we have to support this Declaration and see it
through.

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