Declaration of Independence and the Enlightment
COLLAPSE
The Enlightenment and the Declaration of Independence were a time of change, prosperity, but mostly progress. New ideas in every aspect including religion, political systems, expressing your own beliefs, cultures, and ideas were taking form. Astounding strides were made. From strict abolitionists, monarchs, and, religious institutions to people being able to truly express themselves and their views. New philosophies and philosophers were taking shape and form. It was a time people truly wanted to dig deeper and think more. Like the example, the textbook said “it was not the how, but the why” of things taking place in society.
The Enlightenment was a time of reform. People were allowed to have opinions. For example, we read in the text about Voltaire. He was a writer and a very influential personality in Europe. We see how he is utterly outraged by the verdict and punishment of Jean Calas’ son. He believed it was not right to persecute someone against their religious beliefs. Through his outrage, novels, newspapers, and people discussing things word of mouth took form. Voltaire was very brave and did not back down. He opposed religious bigotry and denounced religious fraud. Although his books were banned and he was exiled, he was an influential person in the Enlightenment . Voltaire made people start to think for themselves.
The most interesting ruler and reformer during the Enlightenment, in my opinion, was Fredrick of Prussia II. He prohibited judicial torture of accused criminals, abolished bribing of judges, and encouraged religious toleration. We have read in previous chapters how some ruthless rulers had very strict religious ideas. Either you were Catholic or Protestant, there was no in-between. People faced persecution if they did not convert. Fredrick II built mosques for people in Berlin. He wanted to fill the mosques as much as possible. Fredrick truly embodied change and accepting things that would never have happened hundreds and hundreds of years ago.
New societies were created, which resulted in an influx in population in Europe. People were able to express their feelings freely. There were scientific missions, explorations, books, and new technologies, like the Encyclopedia. New findings from explores like Alexander Von Humboldt, demonstrated that climate and physical environment determined which forms of life would survive in any region. It made the connection between human nature and civilization.
We also see how people’s views and ideas of how women are portrayed in society are changing. We see Mary Wollstonecraft’s views compared to Jean-Jaques Rousseau. Mary promoted women to have liberty and were able to have rights. Rousseau believed women should be at home and be at their husband’s beck and call. Women are just wives and mothers. Their disagreements provided people different views and directions of logic, so people could think for themselves.
Like the Enlightenment, The Declaration of Independence was a time of shock and new freedoms, but for the colonies. It was a time that some colonists thought would never happen. Loyalists and other colonists were fed up. They wanted their own freedoms and to break away from Great Britain. Colonists wanted equality before the law, people should be viewed in government matters and should have constitutional rights. They desperately wanted rights and things documented against Great Britain’s unfair treatment.
Great Britain was very selfish. They had taxes on products like cloth, hats, iron, sugar, molasses and so much more, which just benefited Britain only. They were being taxed without their consent. We see this prime example in the video, when it explains how the Navigation Act boosted shipping and permits for just the sole benefit of Great Britain. The Triangle Trade and Merchantalism delivered a positive balance of trade only to benefit Great Britain.
Colonists were also getting frustrated because they were not allowed to buy land or make contracts with Native Indians. Only traders who were licensed could go west or have any dealing with Indians. The colonists believed Britain was siding with the Indians over them
The colonists started to stand up and were sick of their rights being taken away from them. Strides like the Boston Boycott, refusing to comply with the Quartering Act, and an Iconic event in our history, the Boston Tea Party rebellion was pivotal to the colonies. They were determined to die, free men, rather than live their lives as slaves.
The Continental Congress was formed to enforce authorizations against Great Britain. The Battle of Lexington and Concord started the American Revolution They needed justification and a document that separated them from Britain. The Declaration of Independence was drafted. It marked a new sovereign nation and the United States of America was formed.
The Enlightenment and Declaration of Independence were both fundamental in our History. It portrayed how people wanted to break away from government, monarchs, Great Britain, and have a say in their government and way of life. Both events were times people began to have courage and stand up for what they believe in . We see this with Voltaire or the colonists in the Boston Tea party. People were ready to revolt and were not hesitant to go against the government and make a change.
People wanted freedom. We see during the Enlightenment some women’s equalities were making strides. Ideas were accepted. Colonists weren’t even allowed to own land, communicate with Native Americans, worked to death to benefit Great Britain. These were daily things that affected many. Colonists and people during the Enlightenment wanted to be equal. Both events were a struggle for freedom. Many events, people, and things shaped our world during these events. We see a new sense of power come to play. New social practices, ideas, and governments are allowed and accepted, after many years of turmoil.
After reading about the Enlightenment and watching the documentary on the U.S. Declaration of Independence, do you see the how the two were related? Explain the relationship. Remember these are your ideas, however, they MUST be supported by evidence.
You must address my question in about 500 words and then respond to ONE of your peers with about 200 words. Watch your grammar and be respectful.
After reading about the Enlightenment and watching the documentary on the U.S. Declaration of Independence, do you see the how the two were related? Explain the relationship. Remember these are your ideas, however, they MUST be supported by evidence.
Please respond to The above essay with 200 words. Watch your grammar and be respectful.