John Adams: Championed the cause for Independence.
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
The Declaration of Independence
The first frame of Government
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence
Christianity influenced the Declaration of Independence primarily through its emphasis on the inherent dignity and equality of all individuals as creations of God. This belief supported the notion of unalienable rights, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Additionally, the moral principles found in Christian teachings underscored the importance of justice and the right to resist tyranny, which resonated with the colonists' desire for independence from British rule. These ideas helped frame the philosophical foundation of the document and its call for a government that derives its power from the consent of the governed.
Benjamin Franklin - the most respected American of that time - helped frame the Declaration of Independence. He was one of the five members of The Committee to produce a Declaration. (The other members were John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston.) Some scholars believe that Franklin was asked to write the Declaration and that he turned it down. Why? Because his "writing was not to be edited."Franklin was the most outspoken of the anti-slavery delegates and he would have included that clause in the Declaration. Franklin and Adams chose Jefferson to write the Declaration. Besides being an excellent writer, Jefferson was a slave owner from Virginia and this was politically important! If slavery was to be abolished in July of 1776, it would have to be proposed by a Southerner. When Jefferson finished his 1st draft of the Declaration, he immediately took it to Franklin who edited it! The clause of abolishing slavery went to Congress, but the Southern colonies/states would have no part of it and it was deleted from the signed Declaration. Franklin reminded Adams and other Northern anti-slavery delegates that the issue at hand was independence from Britain - not abolishing slavery. The issue of slavery could be brought up later. (And was it ever!) Franklin also gained the support of the French monarchy in the way of French troops and money that was instrumental in the American defeat of the British. How ironic that Franklin's influence of seeking "equal rights for all men" would be the later rallying cry for the French Revolution and the death knell for the French king and queen. - Brad Watson 5/28/09 11:01 MiamiWorldPerc@netzero.com
Patrick Henry's interpretation of the Constitution emphasized individual liberties and the importance of limiting government power, which significantly influenced the content of the Declaration of Independence. His strong advocacy for personal freedoms and skepticism of centralized authority resonated with the colonial sentiments of the time, pushing leaders to articulate the need for independence. This focus on rights and the protection of citizens from oppressive governance became central themes in the Declaration, underscoring the colonies' justification for breaking away from British rule. Consequently, Henry's views helped to frame the revolutionary ideals of liberty and self-governance that defined the document.
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense," published in 1776, significantly influenced the drafting of the Declaration of Independence by articulating the arguments for colonial independence from British rule. Its compelling rationale for self-governance and criticism of monarchy resonated with the colonists, galvanizing public sentiment towards revolution. Paine's ideas helped to frame the narrative of liberty and democratic governance that the Founding Fathers incorporated into the Declaration, making it a foundational text for American democracy.
Stanton wrote the Declaration of Sentiments in the format of the Declaration of Independence to emphasize the parallels between the struggles for women's rights and the fight for American independence. By adopting this familiar structure, she aimed to highlight the injustices faced by women and to frame their demands for equality as a moral imperative, akin to the founding principles of the nation. This stylistic choice also sought to invoke a sense of urgency and legitimacy, rallying support for the women's suffrage movement by connecting it to the broader narrative of American freedom and rights.