significance of the declaration of independence

American Declaration of Independence 1776
The American Declaration of Independence of 1776 played a major role in the history of mankind. It not only helped the Americans achieve Independence from rule of the English King i.e. King George III, but also inspired the French to undertake a similar revolt to achieve freedom.
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The American Declaration had great significance in the history of Mankind. It justified the right to revolt against a government, that no longer guaranteed the man's natural and inalienable rights. Jefferson listed in the Declaration the alleged crimes committed by the English King against the American people since 1763. The Declaration condemned the misgovernment of the English King George III and said almost nothing against the British Parliament because the American radicals were of the view that the British Parliament had no authority whatsoever over the colonies.

Its practical significance at that time was no doubt great, since it helped the Americans to seek and they got increased foreign assistance. It paved the path for France's all-out military, monetary and material intervention on the American side against Britain.

The Declaration served as an external source of inspiration to the suffering, aggrieved and oppressed French men against the King Louis XVI, who caused the French Revolution in 1789. The American experiment made the path of the revolution seem easy and profitable. The high and glittering ideals of "liberty, equality and fraternity", excited by the successful revolt of the North American colonies, prepared the French people for any sacrifice. The French soldiers, who had gone to America, returned home with tales of bravery and idealism. They began to question:

(i) if the Americans could defeat and win freedom form their mother country i.e. England, why could we not revolt against our own King, whose Government has become absolutely unacceptable and restrict our natural and basic human rights?

(ii) Why should we not revolt against the intolerable abuses of the old regime?

(iii) Why should we not break the chains, that had tied us so fast and so tight and set ourselves free from the tyrannical rule of the King Louis XVI, and the privileged classes, i.e. the nobles and the high clergy?

1. Why was the American Declaration made?

a) Founding of the English 13 Colonies in America

The Continent of American was discovered in 1492. When Columbus discovered America it was inhabited by 'Mongols', the red men, who were called 'Indians' by Columbus.

(i)Love of Adventure, (ii) Greed for Wealth, (iii) Temptation of Trade, (iv) Attraction of Cheap Land which served as the 'magnet' that drew immigrants across the Atlantic to America, and, (v) Religious persecution at mother country, tempted the Spaniards, the French, the Dutch and the English, by the end of the 16th century to immigrate to America.

The English won their first enduring foothold in America on May 13, 1607, when about 100 adventurers established themselves in Virginia in a settlement, that came to be know as 'James Town'. For more than a Century, the English immigrants, then flooded America, the colonies also attracted Europeans, particularly Germans and Scottish-Irish. It was in the Southern Colonies that Negro Slaves as an economic institution was first inaugurated. By 1752, there emerged the thirteen British Colonies in America. The colonists adopted the English language as a common language of the country.

b) Oppressive Colonial Rule Under the British Government.

A number of factors and forces cumulatively contributed to the American War of Independence in 1775-76. There were many intolerable Acts of the British Parliament, touching the administration of the thirteen English Colonies in America, which stirred the colonial anger against Britain to a very high pitch.

c) The Second Continental Congress.

(i) Organization of the American Continental Army: On May 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress met at Philadelphia. The delegates represented all the 13 colonies. One of the immediate tasks was to respond positively to the military challenge facing the colonies. They organized the "American Continental Army" and appointed George Washington of Virginia as its Commander-in-Chief. He took command of the Army on June 23, 1775.

(ii) Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking up Arms: On July 6, 1775 the Congress issued a "Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of taking up Arms".

(iii) Proclamation of Rebellion: In August 1775 the British King George III issued the Proclamation of Rebellion by the Americans. The king declared that Americans were rebels and warned all loyal persons not to assist the rebels.

(iv) The Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776: By 1776, the colonists had already carried their rebellion too far to turn back without risking their lives. On June 7, 1776, a Richard Lee of Virginia proposed a resolution declaring in favour of American Independence. On June 11, 1776, a committee of five, headed by Thomas Jefferson, was appointed by the Congress, to prepare a draft "setting forth the causes, which impelled us to this mighty resolution". After some debate, the Congress unanimously adopted on July 4, 1775, the document, which came to be known as "The Declaration of Independence".

To conclude in the words of and eminent historian, who fittingly remarked "If the American Revolution had produced nothing but the Declaration of Independence it would have been worthwhile".