The Declaration of Independence
Work Points: Pick the work points that you find most interesting. In the end, all work points must be discussed, though!
1. Which view of human nature is expressed in the Declaration?
2. What are the most basic rights of an American citizen and where do they come from?
3. Analyse the oppositions in the text – what values would you say, are expressed through these oppositions?
4. Pick one of the following words and explain, in your own words, its meaning(s), connotations and use:
5. If you did not manage to get to one of the words in 4, please find synonyms for the following words:
2:The most basic rights of an American citizens is there rights to choose a new government if the government is destructive. But not if it is an light and transient causes The government not be change. The government shall make there foundation on such principles that ensure the citizens safety and happiness.
ReplyDeleteThe basic right comes from The representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress.
You may very well say that this is democracy. Interestingly, things, or politics in America today, are not quite what they aimed for.
Delete2: The most basic rights of an American citizen are the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This means that anybody can pursue their own happiness and do what they want in order to become happy; in 1776 this meant that white people were free from the British Empire. They wanted a government to make the laws, not a king, and they wanted to have a say in who the government consisted of. The slaves were not freed until almost a hundred years later.
ReplyDeleteYes, and the values of every American citizent are then based on this, which is being free from the Brititsh King, thus freedom and indepence are some of the core values. The slaves were not really a part of this document - important to note. This document is the foundation of America and the its values.
Delete1.It is expressed that it is in our nature to pursuit happiness and celebrate life and liberty.
ReplyDeleteIt describes how we are created equal and it embraces the right of human diversity.
Humans seek freedom and security the declaration trays to accommodate this.
These natures are pretty much based on the same human natures described in the Bible.
Good note on the equality because in America people may be created equally bu they are certianly not born with the same prospects of reaching the American Dream. However, the freedom and inpendence are the most improtant values in America, and you have a point that the nature of it comes from the bible, and many immirants also found comfort in Christianity perhaps that is the reason for the wide spread Christian fundamentalist in many parts of America.
DeleteThe declaration of independence is a statement about the American independence from Great Britain. The thirteen American colonies announced themselves as independent and no longer a part of Britain. The declaration is adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, in 1776. A big protagonist for independence was John Adams. They formed a new union that would be the nation – United States of America and the declaration was approved on July 2.
ReplyDeleteThe declaration is a long list about colonial grievances against King George lll and those are the things that should prove that America did not get their natural and legal rights.
1) People have their rights to be free and all men are created equal. They have their rights to be happy and to secure these rights the government has to sustain these rights and always do what’s the best for the people and the country. The people must always have the overview on the government and when the government becomes destructive to the country and the rights, it is the people’s job to alter or abolish it.
2) The freedom and the pursuit of happiness are the most basic rights of an American citizen. As told it was John Adams who was the protagonist for independence and had the power to open the American citizen’s eyes to their rights and led them to see the better life and what to fight for. People felt cheated and suppressed in their own country and when these are the main feelings among people they only need a little push to fight for their rights and lives.
3) ? I do not understand this task? Which oppositions? The one the American wants and the one they had when King George lll had the power?
4) Duty – can be a lot of things and there is put a lot of meanings to the word I think. You have duties to almost every people you are involved with in your life, in case they mean something to you. Your family, your friend, your boyfriend/girlfriend, your boss and even your teacher in school. You have some duties you have to for fill so you do not disappoint and hurts them and yourself. Duty is a kind of responsibility you have in life to sustain your own personality and it has to follow your own rights and standards to have a correspondence.
But duties could also be tasks you have to do. Do your homework, show up in school it is your duty, do the laundry, go to work, it is obligations you have in life. Almost everyone is something you have chosen to do by yourself and which is necessary for you to have a life. Because in this case it all goes back to duties to people in your life. You could choose not to have duties to things but then no meaning in life and no people around you, because by not having duties you always come first in line and do not care about doing things for other people without getting something out of it.
In the text it is used as a duty to the country. The public has a duty to the country by getting the best government to lead the country and its values. And the government has a duty to the people by seeking the rights which is best for the nation and the people. The duty to sustain the equal feeling among people and everyone can be happy without someone to dictate their rights.
- Laura
You answer very well on question 1&2. Regarding 3, it is about oppose to in King George´s rule. One is for example paying taxes to the king (they paid taxes to a king in a foreign country - without getting anything back). This was one thing they opposed to. Furthermore they oppose to the fact that a state should rule over their lives so these values of working for oneself and fwanting to be free and independent come from this.
DeleteDuty is a well picked word, but also in relation to the foundation of America one speaks much duty in relation to doing one´s duty for her/ his country (eg. going to war). Duty is something very patriotic in America, they do have a great sense of patriotism.