The Declaration Of Freedom And Equality - 1267 Words

Evil Necessity The notion that this country was founded on the values of freedom and equality while simultaneously enslaving over 500,000 African Americans is the ultimate oxymoron. This paper will examine the complex question of why the institution of slavery seemed to be so imperative to the Framers of the Constitution that it was able to slip under the surface of what was considered free and equal. It would take some time for the liberties expressed in the Declaration of Independence to be executed for every citizen in America. We will explore the Founders response to the profoundly important question of the legitimacy of human bondage. The Framers, when constructing the Constitution, had the decision to either confront the ongoing problem of slavery or to ignore it completely. In the end, they found a solution somewhere in the middle. The Framers created compromises such as the Three-Fifths compromise and the Missouri Compromise in an attempt to appease the nations growing dis parate views on slavery, along with controversial acts and court cases that would forever change the nation. These provisions all point to the Framers’ true intentions in the creation of the Constitution. Based on the language of the Constitution, one can see that it neither expressly authorized nor outright prohibited slavery. There was this unwavering misconception that blacks were a race of uneducated, hostile, individuals that would forever be less of a human species than whites. In factShow MoreRelated The Civil War Essay925 Words   |  4 Pagesdefined, symbolized, and epitomized the spirit of America. Lincoln established equality, found in the Declaration of Independence but not in the Constitution nor in any Federal or State law, as a basic and fundamental concept in America. This is very true since this country was founded on equality but apparently not granted in the Constitution to all. In the time of the Civil War many Americans forgot what equality meant, free dom for all - black and white. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The Gettysburg AddressRead MoreIdeals : The Age Of Reason And The Declaration Of Independance Essay863 Words   |  4 PagesLed to the Declaration of Independance In the Age of Reason, writers were most interested in logical arguments. They focused on faith and valued reason and order. The important writers in the Age of Reason were mostly political figures, so the writing concentrated on equality, individualism and self governance. The Declaration of Independence also focuses on equality and self governance by giving people their individual rights. The ideals of the Age of Reason shaped the Declaration of IndependanceRead MoreCode Napoleon  and â€Å"Declaration of the Rights of Man† Comparison1068 Words   |  5 PagesCode Napoleon  and â€Å"Declaration of the Rights of Man† Comparison The longest lasting effect of Napoleon Bonapartes rule over France was his overseeing the implementation of a series of national laws collectively known as the Civil Code, or Code Napoleon. Code Napoleon was the successor to the idea’s stated in The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, While at first, Napoleon generally adhered to the philosophies of the French Revolutionist as created in The Declaration of the Rights ofRead MoreThe American Revolution of 1763-1783 saw the Americans fight for their independence from the1000 Words   |  4 Pagesthe Declaration of Independence was signed granting that America fight for their rights and independence from the British. The Declaration of Independence states that all people have the right of freedom and equality: â€Å"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, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happin ess.†2 Despite the American Revolution and the effects of the Declaration of IndependenceRead MoreThe American Of The British Empire Essay1672 Words   |  7 Pagesinto the deep sea. The British tea that dumped in the Boston Harbor on the night of December 16 was estimated to value about $18,000. The United States Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson who is also known as being the third president of the United States. Jefferson was then given the task of writing a draft for the Declaration of Independence, which he worked on for almost two weeks. He showed the draft to John Adams and Benjamin Franklin before he presented it to the ContinentalRead MoreThe Success Of The American Revolution881 Words   |  4 Pagescolonies wanted their freedom from England because they no longer had a say in England’s government, but were still forced to follow its laws. Thomas Jefferson, the head of the committee to later drafted America’s demand for freedom, went so far as to call England an â€Å"absolute tyranny.† Americans knew their break from England would lead to a war—the American Revolution—but continued to up rise. This lead to many revolts and finally concluded with the creation of The Declaration of Independence in 1776Read MoreSimilarities and Differences Between the Origin of Civil Society and Declaration of Independence1445 Words   |  6 PagesOrigin of Civil Society and Jeffersons Declaration of Independence The Origin of Civil Society, by Jean-Jacques Rousseau and the Declaration of Independence are two important historical documents. They have many similarities. They also have many differences. Rousseaus article is an essay. It talks about his version of civilized society. Jeffersons document is a declaration of independence. In it, Jefferson talks about why the colonists are seeking freedom. Jefferson also discusses the possibleRead MoreWhich Ideal of the Declaration of Independence Is the Most Important?699 Words   |  3 PagesJuly 4, 1776. There was a committee of five people who wrote the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration has a structure of an introduction, a statement of ideals about government, a long list of grievances against the British, and a Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. Yet the four ideals; consent of governed, Equality, Unalienable Rights, and the right to alter or abolish, are the foundation of our government. Equality is the most important and the reason our government is so successfulRead MoreThe Significance of the Declaration Of Independence1376 Words   |  6 PagesThe Declaration of Independence is the most important and oldest document in the United State’s History. The Declaration was drafted and signed to announce our Declaration Of Independence from Great Britain, by saying, â€Å" The 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; and that as Free andRead MoreBill of Rights Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen Essay1289 Words   |  6 PagesRights and Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen are based on the same principles of natural rights; therefore each document is similar in protecting the peoples natural rights. However, despite their similarities, their differences are apparent due to the social situations in which they were adopted. The Bill of Rights stood to protect the freedoms of each individual by establishing a democratic government. The French Revolution eliminated the hierarchy of class and established equality among