INEVITABLE MARCH OF HISTORY

INEVITABLE MARCH OF HISTORY

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KEY QUOTE: How and why was the Declaration of Independence written as it was?

EVENT/CURRENT ISSUE: SVC TRAILBLAZER DAY GENERAL CONFERENCE

The United States was created under enormous pressure created by the adverse actions of Britain's King George III and his Parliament in the years between 1763 and 1776. The Colonists eventually decided "to die as free Men, rather than live as slaves." (Thomas Jefferson 1775) The idea that independence was even possible disturbed many. But, alas, the Delegates at Continental Congress came to the conclusion that it was the only way.

On June 7, 1776, Virginia Delegate Richard Henry Lee Proposed Independence based on a Resolution Adopted by the Virginia House of Burgesses: 

Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, 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.

That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances.

That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation

After a successful Vote to consider the Resolution, debate commenced. Loyalist John Dickenson, a Pennsylvania Delegate, tried to scuttle the idea of Independence by making a motion that any Independence Resolution Adopted by all the Colonies. That is when the Resolution for a Declaration of Independence was passed through a tie-breaking Vote by President John Hancock.

The President Appointed Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, James Sherman and Robert Livingston to the Declaration Committee. The Committee was given three weeks to write the Declaration. The eloquent paragraphs at the beginning and ending of the Declaration were written almost exclusively by Jefferson and the middle parts read like a Prosecutor's Indictments and were provided by Adams, written in Jeffersonian articulation. 

Key Question: Is A modern Declaration of Independence is being considered. What would you include in it and why?