...from the Text of The Declaration of Independence Abstract The Declaration of Independence is a statement of the American Revolutionary War and also an important defense of bourgeois rights. Studying carefully American cultural values from The Declaration of Independence, we can better understand the core of our Chinese cultural values and get to know the main differences and similarities between these two value systems. In this way, we will find all the advantages and disadvantages regarding both cultural values, and thus learn those good ones while overcome the shortcomings. This thesis falls into five chapters. In the first chapter, the necessity and significance of the study are introduced. In Chapter Two, some definitions of key terms included in or related to this thesis are presented, including Value, Cultural Value and The Declaration of Independence. Chapter Three mainly concerns the analysis of the text of The Declaration of Independence. By analyzing the text, the main cultural values related are demonstrated as liberty, equality and democracy. Then each cultural value is explained respectively and thoroughly with proper examples. Chapter Four mainly discusses the contradictions and conflicts inherent in those American cultural values, showing that American cultural values is a double-edged sword. The last chapter is the conclusion part which summarizes the whole thesis. Key Words: American, The Declaration of Independence, cultural values Contents ...
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...if we require people to pass a driving test before licensing them to operate a car, we should require them to pass some kind of parenting test before allowing them to have children. As an American, I believe in the unalienable rights that were set down and stated in the Declaration of Independence, and truly think there should not be a parenting test. "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 Happiness". Sound familiar? The Declaration of Independence was written July 4th 1776, and in it was set down the guidelines and unalienable rights of the people in our Nation. If we possess these unalienable; meaning they are apart of man, they aren't given out by anyone, therefore they can not be taken away by anyone no matter who they are, then why should someone be allowed to dictate who may or may not be allowed to have children? We are all equal, so what makes one person more superior than the other and allow them to control what do? " That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the Consent of the governed," We as the people give the government their power, so why should they go against what was set forth two-hundred-and-thirty-four years ago. We, the individual, live in "America the Free", not Communist China, where they dictate that families are only allowed to have...
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...War ended the French military threat to British North American colonies. Adopting the policy that the colonies should pay an increased proportion of the costs associated with keeping them in the Empire, Britain imposed a series of direct taxes followed by other laws intended to demonstrate British authority, all of which proved extremely unpopular in America. Because the colonies lacked elected representation in the governing British Parliament, many colonists considered the laws to be illegitimate and a violation of their rights as Englishmen. In 1772, groups of colonists began to create Committees of Correspondence, which would lead to their own Provincial Congresses in most of the colonies. In the course of two years, the Provincial Congresses or their equivalents rejected the Parliament and effectively replaced the British ruling apparatus in the former colonies, culminating in 1774 with the coordinating First Continental Congress. In response to protests in Boston over Parliament's attempts to assert authority, the British sent combat troops, dissolved local governments, and imposed direct rule by Royal officials. Consequently, the Colonies mobilized their militias, and fighting broke out in 1775. First ostensibly loyal to King George III, the repeated pleas by the First Continental Congress for royal intervention on their behalf with Parliament resulted in the declaration by the King that the states were "in rebellion", and the members of Congress were traitors. In 1776, representatives...
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...Three Individuals Who Had a Significant Impact on U.S. History When tasked with the sizable challenge of only picking three individuals to write about who had a significant impact on U.S. history the selection of those individuals is no small task. Given the amazing roots from which this country came through many of the different trials, tribulations, and successes in the early days there are countless well known individuals who played major roles in enabling and shaping that growth. To narrow down such a broad search to only a select three proves to be more difficult than one may think. However, even given the difficulty of this task I have in the end chosen three men, that without, this country may very well have shaped up much differently than the country that we have come to know to this day. The three men of my choice are John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. The reason for my decision on these three individuals is because they all played crucial roles in the formation of our great country and without their key insight and the driving force that they brought it could have turned out much differently. Each holds a very important place during this time in history which will be more fully understood and unveiled in the coming pages. To better understand these roles, and these men as a whole I believe it best to look at each individually to see what brought them to be such important figures in history and how it was that their fates intertwined. John...
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...government would operate and who could participate in political life. The basic principles of democracy, giving majority the rule, struck fear into those who believed this would bring ruin of the hard-fought struggle for independence. The forming of a republic, which constructed a government where the important affairs would be entrusted only to representative men of learning and refinement, eased several minds. Constitution Paper The American Revolution creating the ideology that all men are created equal failed to connect with the new United States’ form of government (OpenStax, 2014). Americans attempted to define the meaning of American equality by holding several constitutional conventions that defined how the government would operate and who could participate in political life (OpenStax, 2014). The basic principles of democracy, giving majority the rule, struck fear into those who believed this would bring ruin of the hard-fought struggle for independence (OpenStax, 2014). The forming of a republic, which constructed a government where the important affairs would be entrusted only to representative men of learning and refinement, eased several minds (OpenStax, 2014). Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation The Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation confirmed the break with England, but did not establish a form of government to replace the monarchy, the only system known by most English colonists (OpenStax, 2014, p.186) After the...
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...The Land of the Free: Except for Health Care America, dubbed the “land of the free” by the Star Spangled Banner, is known for democracy, freedom, and the American Dream. American citizens have the right to free speech, free press, the right to bear arms, and the right to religious freedom to name a few. The Declaration of Independence states that American citizens have the rights including “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” America promises equality and freedom and the protection of their rights as outlined in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. But with all the rights and freedoms that American citizens enjoy, there is one particular area where the United States seems to be lacking. That area is health care. The United States is the only industrialized nation that doesn’t have some form of legal recognition of a right to health care (Yamin 1157). Health care reform in the United States has become a major controversy for politicians, health care professionals, businesses, and citizens. Those in opposition to reform claim that health care is not a human right, therefore the government should not be involved. Supporters of reform believe that health care is most definitely a human right and should be available to everyone in the United States instead of only those who can afford it, and that it is the government’s responsibility to uphold that right. Out of all the industrialized countries in the world, the United States is the only one that doesn’t...
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...¨We find it in the law supreme-the law high above the law of titles in lands...We find it in our own inspiration, our own destiny¨(Document 6). Not only did Americans reflect imperialism socially, they also reflected it politically and economically. By 1898, Americans were ready to abandon its isolationist doctrine and strive to become a superpower of the world. After the Industrial Revolution and America build itself a successful economy, they wanted to expand globally. Charles Denby said, ¨We are coming to our own. We are stretching out our hands for what nature meant should be ours. We are taking our proper rank among the nations of the world¨(document 5). Since 1854 with the creation of the Ostend Manifesto, America has made known to the world that they had their eyes on Cuba. Once the Cubans declared their intent to become independent, America decided to step in. Congress declared war on the Spanish twice during this era for the annexation of Cuba and the Philippines. With the...
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...The French Revolution: The French Revolution was a time for spreading out and finding freedom for the French. It was a way for the French to recreate their government to give some kind of equality for their people. Though for woman in that time period it was still a struggle for equal rights during the rest of country’s upheaval. The French Revolution was caused by a downfall in the royal family, having to do with serious financial issues. King Louis XVI call in the French Estates General in 1788, to help with the financial crisis the country was going through (Doyle). The Estate General was divided into three estates: First Estate representing the upper class, the Second Estate representing middle class, and the Third Estate representing the lower class. There was one vote for each estate, and in the past the Second Estate and the First Estate had joined together to defeat any proposals for reform from the Third Estate. The Third Estate was determined that would not be so in the current assembly and pushed for the vote of each representative to be counted as a separate vote. They were not able to agree on a voting method. Leading the Third Estate and the lower half Second Estate to break away from the Estates General, forming the National Assembly on June 17, 1789 (Doyle). King Louis XVI admitted defeat on June 27, first appeasing then confrontational ordered his nobles, and the upper half Second Estate to join the National Assembly effectively ending the Estates General...
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...occurred in 1773, had its origins several years earlier, in the wake of the French and Indian War, which ended in 1763. In 1766, Parliament passed the Quartering Act, which provided for "billeting, provisioning and discipline of British forces, requiring colonial assemblies to provide barracks and supplies such as candles, fuel, vinegar, beer and salt for the regulars, costs of the Army in America at the 'dictate' of Parliament" (Tuchman 167). Further to this point, the Seven Years' War was over; why the need for such a large standing army in America? This first Quartering Act was, however, obeyed in general terms, and even partly rescinded as to enforcement (182), until other Parliamentary measures pointed up colonists' feeling of oppression. By 1767, the Stamp Act had been passed, and then revoked in the face of an American boycott of covered goods. In 1767, the Townshend Acts legalized import duties on "glass, lead, paints, paper, and tea." The stated resolution of these duties was that of "defraying the charge of the administration of justice, and the support of civil government" in America (Morris 90). In other words, the American colonies would be required to pay for British administration of the territory. Tuchman says that this phrase in the bill was its undoing because without it, "his duties might well have raised no...
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...Abraham Lincoln how to free slaves and give them freedom. He also was a lawyer, diplomat, statesman, political. You can say he was a leader of the movement for America independence from Great Britain. John Adams was always a very independent man, he enjoyed working on his own a lot. He really wanted independence. He was a short man, but he’s long on opinions and he always thinking for himself. That’s why everyone started to call him “Alas of Independence”. He developed a reputation for being independent, out spoken, and honest. So he moved to a public service just as the movement for independent America was developed. John Adams was the leader of the American Revolution. He served as the second U.S. president from 1797 to 1801. Then he became critic of Great Britain authority. Before he was president he was the first vice president. He lost by Thomas Jefferson. He was also the first American ambassador to the court of St. James. He’s the author of the Massachusetts constitution....
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...page 7 The Terms Used to Define the Commonwealth CHAPTER II page 11 Equality CHAPTER III page18 Autonomy CHAPTER IV page 26 Autochthony CHAPTER V page 37 Membership CHAPTER VI page 42 Co-operation CHAPTER VII page 48 Symbols CHAPTER VIII page 56 Members of the Commonwealth REFERENCES page 61 FOREWORD The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and previously as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organization of fifty-four independent member states. All but two of these countries were formerly part of the British Empire. The member states co-operate within a framework of common values and goals as outlined in the Singapore Declaration. These include the promotion of democracy, human rights, good governance, the rule of law, individual liberty, egalitarianism, free trade, multilateralism and world peace. The Commonwealth is not a political union, but an intergovernmental organization through which countries with diverse social, political and economic backgrounds are regarded as equal in status. Its activities are carried out through the permanent Commonwealth Secretariat, headed by the Secretary-General, and biennial Meetings between Commonwealth Heads of Government. The symbol of their free association is the Head of the Commonwealth, which is a ceremonial position currently held by Queen Elizabeth II. Elizabeth II is also monarch, separately and independently, of sixteen...
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...Americans to Declare Independence? 1607 marked the settlement of Jamestown, the first permanent English colony in North America. It struggled in the beginning, just as previous colonies like the one at Roanoke did. However, it endured the first few years and eventually became a successful colony. By 1732 twelve other British colonies existed in North America. Each had been founded for its own reason: Massachusetts as a refuge for puritans; Georgia as a destination for debtors. Despite these differences they had several important uniting features. The king of England granted and gave legitimacy to each colony’s charter. Each had a royal governor. Each created their political and social institutions based on British principles. In general North American colonists admired the British constitution and were proud to call themselves Englishmen. Several English wars resulted in bloodshed in America: Queen Anne’s War, King George’s War, and the French and Indian War. Rebellions also occurred occasionally, e.g. Bacon’s Rebellion. Taking into account all of this, the American colonies prospered under British rule and existed in relative peace and harmony with their mother country. Beginning after the end of the French and Indian War, the status quo began to change. In the thirteen years from 1763 to 1776 Americans went from content British citizens to rebels fighting for independence. Because Americans were able to evolve their own ideas about the natural rights of men, adopt their own philosophy...
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...The Colonial Period and the Fight for Independence David C. Nard Hist 316L – Spring 2015 From the time the nation's first settlers established the colony of Jamestown in 1607 to the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, 169 years had passed, meaning settlers established 13 colonies across the eastern seaboard and prospered as farmers, shipbuilders, and merchants. But they were not free, and were bound by British rule on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. For more than one and a half centuries, colonists fought for and perpetuated a system for self governance, but outside forces kept threatening their way of life and liberty. Throughout the Colonial era, settlers of the New World fought against British governing rule and desired self-government. However,...
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...Amanda Fuller Instructor Lori Mick Society and the Individual 11 September 2015 Freedom On July 4th, 1776 the Declaration of Independence, one of America’s most historical documents, was signed in Philadelphia. Doug Hoey states “It marked the birth of this nation which, under God, was destined to become the symbol of freedom and world leadership” (91) in his article Freedom is Not Free, and It Must Be Preserved. Each year on July 4th, Americans celebrate Independence Day, with fireworks, family gatherings, and bar-b-que, but the people of this country should also take time to reflect and remember the importance of why this is such an important holiday. Millions of young men and women lost their lives on a foreign battle field, fighting for this country, so that the people of the U.S. could enjoy the freedom and rights that they have today. Do they really understand how this country began and how their freedom was obtained? Do they truly appreciate freedom? The citizens of this country need to remember and honor these fallen heroes not just on Independence Day, but every day. “It is important that we recall and return to the faith of our forefathers. In our prosperity and our present position of world leadership, America today is forgetting the God who gave this nation its birth and its present greatness” states REV. Doug Hoey. (91) In the year 1492, the year that Columbus reached the present day Caribbean islands, Native American Indians made up the population of what...
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...Gregorie Pima Medical Institute American Suicide Story: Your Right to Die The year was 1776, the United States was on the brink of war with England and in an unwavering effort to be free from the tyranny of King George III, America’s fore-fathers drafted forth a Declaration of Independence. Included in this declaration was a line that still resonates in the hearts and minds of free thinking men and women: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal[->0], that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness (US, 1776)”. Even during this simpler time, America’s ancestors realized the value and importance of an individual’s right to make decisions regarding their own fate. Flash forward to present day and these words still hold an incredibly strong value, possibly none greater than when discussing the terminally ill and the right to physician assisted suicide. While there are some who feel that people should not be in control of their own destiny, if the pursuit of happiness means that a person with an incurable sickness chooses they no longer wish to be alive, then they as human beings should be able to make that choice for themselves. Thankfully for them, there is a place in the United States that will consider and allow a person the right to die peacefully with the assistance of a doctor. Oregon, whom on November 8th, 1994, under the Death with Dignity Act...
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