LAD #3 Declaration of Independence

• Summary of Democratic Principles- The Declaration of Independence mentions in its opening several basic democratic principles. Firstly, it states that all men are created equal, and that every person has certain basic rights that cannot be taken away. Secondly, it claims that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed in order to secure peoples' basic rights. The Declaration also mentions that the people have a right to cast off a destructive old government and create a new government based on the principles of the people, in order to guard the peoples' safety and happiness. These democratic principles were mainly based on the beliefs of the philosopher John Locke in his Second Treatise of Government, and the democratic arguments included were used primarily to justify the rebellion of the American people against the British government. 

• Several Grievances of the British Crown- The King refused to pass and denied the rights to institute colonial laws, he dissolved representative governing assemblies and forced compliance to his legislative measures, he indirectly blocked the administration of justice and influenced judges of law, he maintained armies in the colonies in peacetime and allowed them lodging in private homes, he cut off foreign trade, he taxed the colonies without their consent,  he deprived colonists of trial by jury, he hired foreign armies to fight the colonists, he impressed colonists into British service, and he only responded to colonial petitions against such infractions with further grievances.

• Summary of the Conclusion- The American people have time and again pleaded and warned the British people not to continue supporting the issuing of unwarranted jurisdiction over the colonies, else it would damage the good connections and correspondence with Britain. However, since they have failed to comply with us, the Americans will turn and fight them in times of war. Furthermore, the representatives of the United States of America, with God's help, declare that the United Colonies are and deserve to be free and independent states, without any political ties to Britain.