What did the Declaration of Arbroath contribute to the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 1

This is quite a highly controversial issue amongst historians.

Some would argue that the declaration of Arbroath was a diplomatic letter, while others see it as a radical movement in western constitutional thought.

The letter was written for the pope, to convince him as head of the "European christian super state" to recognise Scottish sovereignty. This recognition would of put pressure on Edward of England to make peace and do the same.

This recognition would result in Scotland securing its Independence in the long term. Many of the claims of the declaration are totally untrue (for example that all Scots supported Bruce, there were many who still supported the Balliol claim, they just kept quiet until after the Battle of Dupplin Moor 1332)

Quote from the document

'Yet if he (Bruce) should give up what he has begun, and agree to make us or our kingdom subject to the King of England or the English, we should exert ourselves at once to drive him out as our enemy and a subverter of his own rights and ours, and make some other man who was well able to defend us our King; for, as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.'

These historians also argue that the passage (quoted above) that says if Bruce betrays us to the English we would select a new king, is rubbish as nobody could replace him, he had no sons and the closest claimant was Balliol who was exiled in France.

Historians that take the view that the declaration was a radical movement in western constitutional thought and hence a precursor to the Declaration of Independence.

Historians on this side argue that the threat to drive Bruce out was not a bluff, and reflected the feelings of the Scottish nobility at the time and say it is probable that one of Bruces supporters would of been elected king

They argue that notable theologians of the day such as Dun Scotus had influenced Bishop Lambert. This new idea of popular sovereignty instead of divine mandate was used to establish Bruce in Scotland and convince many Scots to fight for him.

Neither side makes an entirely convincing argument,

So in conclusion we do not know, but it is very possible that in either case that the idea of popular sovereignty inspired the writers of the Declaration of Independence to create a contractual government.