The influences on the Declaration of Independence extend far beyond John Locke to encompass a complex tapestry of philosophical traditions, religious thought, and legal principles. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams crafted a document that uniquely blends Enlightenment rationality with Protestant theology, Scottish moral philosophy, and English common law.

• Both Jefferson and Adams received extensive liberal arts educations that exposed them to diverse philosophical traditions
• The Declaration represents distinctly American "both/and" thinking rather than "either/or" philosophical approaches
• References to "laws of nature and nature's God" reflect natural law traditions from classical through medieval Christian philosophy
• Montesquieu may be more influential than Locke when considering the Declaration as a complete document
• The Scottish Enlightenment contributed concepts like "self-evident" truths through thinkers like Francis Hutchison
• Protestant covenant theology influenced the Declaration's blending of liberty with religious principles
• English common law shaped the structure of the Declaration's indictments against King George III
• The document's complexity requires careful reading and discussion to fully appreciate its philosophical foundations

Join us for future episodes as we continue exploring the Declaration of Independence and its enduring significance.

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School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership

Center for American Civics

We explore the key grievances that American colonists held against King George III and the British Parliament as outlined in the Declaration of Independence, examining how these complaints formed the legal basis for revolution.

• The bulk of the Declaration of Independence functions as a legal indictment against British rule, not just philosophical statements
• Parliament initially received more blame than King George in earlier colonial protests
• Colonial self-government was the primary concern - the ability to elect local lawmakers was seen as the essence of liberty
• Judicial independence became a key grievance when the King controlled judges' tenure and salaries
• These complaints directly influenced protections later enshrined in the Constitution and Bill of Rights
• Americans positioned themselves as conservatives defending traditional British liberties, not radicals
• The revolution occurred only after years of ignored petitions and "patient sufferance"
• Lincoln later distinguished the American Revolution from Confederate secession based on this patient approach

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School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership

Center for American Civics

Dr. Carrese continues to examine the Declaration of Independence's guidance on what citizens can do when facing government abuse of power. We explore how the document establishes the right and duty to overthrow tyrannical regimes under specific circumstances.

• Analysis of the Declaration's second paragraph structure and its four distinct subsections
• Discussion of Harvard scholar Danielle Allen's research on a contested period after "the pursuit of happiness"
• Explanation of how governments are instituted to secure unalienable rights with powers derived from consent
• Clarification of the right to "alter or abolish" destructive governments and establish new ones
• Examination of the Founders' prudent approach to revolution after "a long train of abuses"
• Comparison between despotism and tyranny as interchangeable terms for unchecked rule
• Insight into how the Declaration justifies American resistance to British imperial policies

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School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership

Center for American Civics

Dr. Carrese returns to continue our deep dive into the Declaration of Independence, focusing on the concept of government by consent within the document's crucial second paragraph. We explore the structure of this foundational paragraph, examining how it methodically builds the case for America's independence through careful philosophical reasoning rather than impulsive rebellion.

• Structure of the Declaration's second paragraph contains four distinct sections separated by double dashes
• Harvard scholar Danielle Allen discovered a misplaced period that changes our understanding of the document's flow
• The concept that "governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed" is presented as a self-evident truth
• The Declaration establishes when people have not just the right but the duty to overthrow an unjust government
• "A long train of abuses" shows the founders' emphasis on prudence and patience before taking revolutionary action
• The terms "despotism" and "tyranny" were used almost interchangeably in 18th century political discourse
• Montesquieu's influence on the founders' understanding of despotic government lacking checks and balances

If you haven't listened to our previous episodes on the Declaration, we invite you to do so, as each builds upon the last to provide a comprehensive understanding of this essential founding document.

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School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership

Center for American Civics

We explore the meaning and significance of unalienable rights in the Declaration of Independence, unpacking Jefferson's deliberate choice of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" as fundamental human rights that cannot be taken away.

• "Unalienable" and "inalienable" mean the same thing - rights that cannot be separated from you as a human being
• The Declaration capitalizes "Rights" to emphasize their significance
• Three specific unalienable rights are named: Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness
• The phrase "among these" implies there are other unalienable rights beyond these three
• Jefferson chose "pursuit of Happiness" instead of Locke's "property," elevating the concept
• "Happiness" connects to Aristotle's concept of eudaimonia (human flourishing), not just pleasure
• Lincoln described the Declaration as an "apple of gold" with the Constitution as its "silver frame."
• The Declaration presents universal principles of justice that transcend mere political rebellion

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School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership

Center for American Civics

The Declaration of Independence's most famous phrase, "All men are created equal," represents a revolutionary claim in human political history that asserts the fundamental equality of all humans regarding certain unalienable rights granted by a divine creator.

• The phrase appears in the first part of the Declaration's second paragraph as the first of several "self-evident truths."
• The claim draws from the natural law tradition dating back to ancient Greek philosophers
• "All men" likely means all human beings regardless of gender, based on textual evidence within the Declaration
• Abraham Lincoln emphasized in his 1857 Dred Scott address that this equality applies to fundamental rights despite human differences
• Jefferson included an anti-slavery paragraph in his original draft that the Continental Congress later removed
• The Declaration established both a philosophical principle of universal human equality and a standard for ongoing progress
• The document balances aspirational universal principles with practical political compromise

If you want to learn more about Lincoln's interpretation of the Declaration, look for his Dred Scott address of 1857; you can find it here.

Jefferson's initial draft of the Declaration.

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School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership

Center for American Civics

Dr. Paul Carrese explains why the American colonies wanted independence from Great Britain, tracing the growing desire for freedom and self-governance from the 1760s through the formal Declaration of Independence. The episode examines how colonial frustrations with British rule evolved from protests, such as the Boston Tea Party, into armed conflict, culminating in the Continental Congress's decisive steps toward declaring independence.

• Colonial discontent began in the 1760s over Britain's "heavy hand," despite colonists' experience with self-government
• Physical confrontations escalated from the Boston Massacre to Lexington and Concord in 1775
• George Washington was selected as commander of American forces in June 1775, a full year before the Declaration
• The Declaration positioned independence within universal principles of justice based on "Laws of Nature and Nature's God"
• Jefferson's draft was revised by Franklin, Adams, and the Continental Congress, adding religious references
• The Declaration concludes with signers pledging "our lives, our fortunes, and our Sacred Honor" in support
• Future episodes will explore the complexity and coherence within this revolutionary document

Join in with lessons and with a copy of the Declaration.

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School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership

Center for American Civics

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Dr. Sean Beienberg clarifies the distinction between America's actual vote for independence on July 2, 1776, and the adoption of Jefferson's Declaration of Independence on July 4. John Adams initially believed that July 2nd would be celebrated "forevermore" with nationwide festivities, but history chose the philosophical document over the actual vote for independence.

• Two separate declarations existed: Richard Henry Lee's simple paragraph declaring independence (voted on July 2nd) and Jefferson's comprehensive explanation (approved July 4th)
• Jefferson's declaration wasn't just his work alone but drew from existing philosophical traditions, including Locke, Montesquieu, and George Mason's Virginia Declaration of Rights
• The Declaration gained particular importance before the Civil War as Americans sought to define their national identity
• The July 4th document matters more historically because it explains the "why" of independence, not just the "what."
• Dr. Beienberg suggests the celebration's meaning matters more than the specific date, though Richard Henry Lee deserves recognition

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School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership

Center for American Civics