The Declaration of Independence Part 5: Free and Independent

At last, we have reached the final of five parts in this series on The Declaration of Independence.

Before we finish, let's review parts 1-4.
Part 1: "When in the Course of human events..."
Part 2: "We hold these truths to be self-evident"
Part 3: Charges against the King
Part 4: The Government has failed

In part 5, the founders are about to do something that we label them at traitors in England, punishable by death. What they are about to do will spark a great war between unorganized, untrained, and ill-equipped colonists and the greatest fighting force on the face of the planet, the British Army.

What these men are about to do will forever change history in a way they couldn't imagine. They were about to declare themselves free and independent states that would govern themselves without the permission of the British Crown. Make sure to dot all of those "i's" and cross those "t's" because this is where it gets good!

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled,

The men who would sign the document were representing the people of the colonies, not the interest of the British government. The colonies had no representation in the British parliament, and their complaints and ideas have been ignored as outlined in Part 4.

appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, 

Here they are citing God again as the Supreme Judge of mankind, not the King. They have made the argument that only God can give and take away certain rights and now they are stating that God is even more powerful than the King. (The King didn't like hearing that, I'm sure!)

They again state that they are making this publication and declaration on behalf of, and by the authority of THE PEOPLE. To the King, the idea that THE PEOPLE had any authority was ridiculous, but to the founders, they understood that the government derived its power from the people it governed, and if the government did not do what they people wanted, it should be abolished as outlined in part two. At this point, the phrase, "We The People," has not been used, but it will be, as the first three words in the United States Constitution.

That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; 

There it is. One of the most powerful sentences in American history. Period.

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; 

To drive the point home and leave no room for misinterpretation that the colonies were now going to be FREE and INDEPENDENT, the founders added a part that says they no longer have any loyalty or political connection to the King or the British government.

and that as Free and Independent States, 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. 

Not only do the colonies have no loyalty or connection to the British, but they can also do all of the things that free and independent countries can do. They don't need to ask for permission or check with anyone else, they are no longer British colonies, but are now, "The United States of America."

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.

The founders believe that this Declaration is protected by "divine Providence" which is the belief that God will preserve his creation, of those outlined at the beginning of the document being Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

The final part of this sentence is so powerful. The men who would pen their names at the bottom knew that what they were doing would most likely cost them their lives, their fortunes, and their honor. If the colonists could not fend off the British, then the history books would label them as traitors and toss them to the side of the margin as rebels who were struck down by the loyal and honorable King of England. They would be hung with great fanfare to show the loyal British subjects what happens to those who wish to denounce the crown.

They were not hung in the public square. Instead, they are memorialized as some of the bravest and most forward-thinking men of their time. What kind of men would take on the might of the British government with little more than some parchment paper and iron gall ink?  These men.  That's who.

Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Massachusetts: John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

Congratulations Men! 

You have created what will become the greatest nation on the face of the planet! A nation that will harness the atom, put a man on the moon, and live out an amazing experiment in self-governance that has lasted over 200 years with no plans of ending. Well done!

Next up: The Constitution of the United States

~~~~~

Here is a link to the Declaration of Independence so you can read it yourself:
Declaration of Independence


Post your comments below. What did you learn about the Declaration of Independence?


Resources:


Hart, D., Bower, B., & Lobdell, J. (2002). History alive. Palo Alto, CA: Teachers Curriculum Institute.