英文分析美国独立宣言

Commentary on Declaration of Independence

I. Preamble The Declaration of Independence

is important because it inspired many revolutionary efforts throughout the world and contributed to Americans' understanding of their values as a new nation. their values as a new nation. The nation. The introduction, called the preamble, The introduction, called the preamble, to the Declaration of Independence

is especially important because it builds connections between philosophical theory and practical politics, expresses the fundamental values fundamental values of values of the of the new the new American new American government, American government, and government, and also and also appeals also appeals to appeals to other to other nations to accept the new nation. 

The introduction The introduction relies introduction relies heavily relies heavily on heavily on the on the philosophical the philosophical and philosophical and political and political ideas political ideas of ideas of the of the Enlightenment period of 18th century Europe, including the ideas of Thomas Hobbes, Jean Jacques Jean Jacques Rousseau, Jacques Rousseau, and, Rousseau, and, most and, most particularlymost particularly, particularly, John , John Locke. John Locke. Locke Locke. Locke believed Locke believed that believed that humans, by nature, had the right to protection of life, health, nature, had the life, health, liberty and possessions. health, liberty and possessions. Jefferson altered Jefferson altered this altered this slightly this slightly when slightly when he when he claims he claims the claims the unalienable the unalienable rights unalienable rights include rights include "life, include "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Locke also strongly opposed the divine right of happiness." Locke also strongly opposed kings--which held that kings held absolute power because they were placed on their kings--which held that kings they were placed on their throne by God--and insisted that the people had the right to consent to their government and government and that and that the that the power the power of power of law of law making law making resides making resides with resides with the with the people. the people. Jefferson people. Jefferson included this theory when he writes "to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." Jefferson's among men deriving their just powers declaration helped declaration helped to helped to put to put Locke's put Locke's philosophies Locke's philosophies into philosophies into the into the realm the realm of realm of real-world of real-world politics. real-world politics. Many revolutions Many revolutions that revolutions that occurred that occurred after occurred after the after the American the American Revolution cited Revolution cited Jefferson's cited Jefferson's Declaration of Independence as justification in overthrowing a corrupt and dictatorial  as justification in overthrowing a corrupt and dictatorial power. 

The introduction to the Declaration of Independence also is important for the ways The introduction to the  also it contributed it contributed to contributed to Americans' to Americans' understanding Americans' understanding of understanding of their of their rights their rights as rights as citizens. as citizens. Americans citizens. Americans continue to believe that the phrase "all men are created equal" is a fundamental "law" "all men are created equal" fundamental "law" in the country. While this phrase was included in the introduction to the declaration, it . While this phrase was included in the introduction to the declaration, it appears nowhere appears nowhere else nowhere else in else in official in official documents official documents defining documents defining rights defining rights granted rights granted under granted under the under the U.S. the U.S. Government. The Declaration of Independence holds no legal authority in our country,  holds no legal authority in our countryyet it it continues to be cited as as the for American equality. . VVarious groups groups yet it continues to continues to be cited be cited as the foundation the foundation for foundation for American equalityAmerican equality. arious throughout history history have have criticized criticized American American "equality", referring to to the the introduction introduction throughout history have criticized American "equality", referring "equality", referring to the of the of the declaration the declaration for declaration for support. for support. Critics support. Critics point Critics point to point to Jefferson's to Jefferson's contradictory Jefferson's contradictory message contradictory message regarding equality in reference . Although Jefferson stated that all men are in reference to slaveryreference to slaverymen are created equal created equal and equal and have and have the have the right the right to right to libertyto liberty, liberty, he , he ran he ran a ran a large a large plantatiolarge plantation and n and was and was a was a slaveholder. Other slaveholder. Other critics Other critics point critics point to point to the to the use the use of use of the of the word the word "men" word "men" as "men" as excluding as excluding women excluding women citizens. The 1848 Seneca Falls Convention used Jefferson's format and style to draft The Declaration of Sentiments, a document declaring women's unfair treatment by the U.S. government and by society. Both as a source for debate about equality and as a U.S. government and by society. Both as a source equality and definition of definition of the of the ideological the ideological foundation ideological foundation of foundation of the of the new the new nation, new nation, the nation, the introduction the introduction to introduction to the to the Declaration played a crucial role in defining American values and laws. 

The introduction insisted on the importance of The introduction is also significant because Jefferson introduction is also significant because Jefferson importance of explaining the rebellious actions of the 13 colonies to the nations and statesmen of the world. The nations of the world in were monarchies. world. The most powerful The most powerful world in the 18th century world in the 18th century were monarchies. were 

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The ideas of Jefferson could serve not only to threaten Great Britain's colonial empire, but the but the colonial the colonial empires colonial empires of empires of other of other nations other nations in nations in Europe. in Europe. Recognizing Europe. Recognizing the Recognizing the importance the importance of importance of maintaining good diplomatic good diplomatic relations diplomatic relations with relations with European with European nations, European nations, Jefferson nations, Jefferson sought Jefferson sought to sought to explain the actions the actions of actions of the of the 13 the 13 colonies 13 colonies in rational in rational terms. Anticipating that Anticipating that this that this document would that governments document would influence would influence rebellions elsewhere, Jefferson clarified influence rebellions elsewhere, Jefferson clarified that governments should not should not be not be overthrown be overthrown for overthrown for trivial for trivial causes. trivial causes. Instead, causes. Instead, Jefferson Instead, Jefferson explained Jefferson explained that explained that only that only "despotic" or totalitarian governments should be overthrown. 

II. The list of abuses reflects the colonists' belief that their rights as British Citizens had The list of that their rights as British Citizens been slowly eroded ever since the French and Indian War ended in 1763. Although the Declaration does not name the specific legislation passed by Parliament, its listing of not name the specific legislation passed by Parliament, its listing of the abuses and usurpation effectively covers the history of the King and Parliament's usurpation effectively covers the history of the King and Parliament's the attempts to gain more power and control over the colonies. The list crescendos with gain more power and control over The list crescendos with the most the most offensive most offensive actions, offensive actions, aimed actions, aimed at aimed at total at total suppression total suppression of suppression of the of the colonies, the colonies, that colonies, that were that were put were put Declaration.

into effect just prior to the signing of the Declaration criticizes Many of the acts that the were intended to tighten royal control were intended to tighten royal control over the colonies. The history of Parliament's acts unfolded over a period of 13 years over the colonies. The history of Parliament's acts during which during which royal which royal attempts royal attempts to attempts to squash the squash the civil liberties of liberties of colonists of colonists met with met with heightened colonial resistance. Beginning with The Proclamation of 1763, Parliament stripped colonists of the right to settle in the land between the Appalachian Mountains and the and the Mississippi the Mississippi River. Mississippi River. This River. This meant This meant that meant that although that although many although many colonists many colonists had colonists had given had given their given their lives to lives to defend to defend that defend that land that land from land from the from the French, the French, they French, they would they would not would not be not be permitted to permitted to reap to reap the reap the benefits. Shortly benefits. Shortly after Shortly after the after the proclamation, the proclamation, Parliament proclamation, Parliament decided Parliament decided that decided that the that the colonies the colonies would colonies would help repay the war debts, and enacted laws such as the Sugar Act (1764), war debts, and enacted Act (1764), the Stamp (1764), the Stamp Tax (1765), the Townshend Acts (1767) and the Tea Act (1773). When the colonists ea Act (1773). When the colonists protested against these acts, the King and Parliament responded by further suppressing the rights of colonists. Legislation in 1774 referred to by colonists as the suppressing the rights of colonists. Legislation in 1774 referred to by colonists as the "Intolerable Acts" struck especially hard at the civil rights of the colony of Massachusetts. 

The Intolerable Acts differed from previous legislation. These acts These acts struck not only not only at legislation. struck the economic of the colonies, but at their rights and and legislative legislative the economic freedom economic freedom of freedom of the colonies, the colonies, but at but at their political their political rights political rights and independence as independence as well. as well. Not well. Not only Not only was only was the was the port the port of port of Boston of Boston closed Boston closed to closed to all to all trade, all trade, but trade, but a but a military governor was also appointed and the people of Massachusetts no military governor was also appointed and the people of Massachusetts no longer no longer had longer had the right to elect their representatives, select jurors, or hold town meetings. Additionally, British soldiers accused of crimes would be tried in England, not in in England, not in the in the colony, and a new Quartering Act forced colonists in Massachusetts to feed and house colony, and a new Quartering Act forced colonists in Massachusetts to feed and house British soldiers. The passage of the Intolerable Acts indicated to many colonists, even those not that the King and Parliament were more interested those not living not living in Massachusetts, living in Massachusetts, that the King and Parliament were more interested in asserting unconditional control than in preserving the civil liberties of the colonists. 

The basic The basic principle basic principle upon principle upon which upon which the which the Declaration

rests is rests is that is that colonists, that colonists, as colonists, as British as British citizens, believed they were entitled to the rights and privileges granted by the Magna Carta, and Carta, and the and the British the British Bill British Bill of Bill of Rights of Rights of Rights of 1689. of 1689. Among 1689. Among other Among other things, other things, these things, these documents these documents established that established that the that the King the King was King was not was not above not above the above the lawthe law, that the that the people, the people, represented people, represented in represented in 

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parliament, had a right to endorse or reject taxation, and that citizens were entitled to parliament, had a right to endorse or reject Declaration relied on precedent: a trial by jury of their peers. Additionally, the most British colonies British colonies had colonies had enjoyed had enjoyed self-rule enjoyed self-rule and self-rule and had and had been had been governed been governed through governed through their through their own their own legislative bodies since their founding. most of the colonists that had once their founding. By 1774, their founding. By 1774, protested "no taxation without representation" found themselves without any representation whatsoever, neither in Parliament nor in any colonial house of representation. 

Towards the Towards the end the end of end of the of the list the list of list of abuses, of abuses, the abuses, the Declaration

focuses attention focuses attention on attention on a on a few a few specific incidents specific incidents that incidents that demonstrate that demonstrate the demonstrate the King's the King's disregard King's disregard for disregard for colonial for colonial life colonial life and life and libertyand liberty, liberty, the danger the danger of danger of colonists of colonists remaining colonists remaining divided remaining divided on divided on the on the issue the issue of issue of independence, of independence, and independence, and the and the preparations being made by Great Britain for an all-out war. These statements served, in many cases, to convince moderates in the Second Continental Congress to see that in many cases, moderates in the Second Continental Congress reconciliation was not a possibility and to cast their vote in favor of independence. 

The British The British attack British attack on attack on colonists on colonists and colonists and the and the loss the loss of loss of American of American lives American lives at lives at the at the Battles the Battles of Battles of Lexington and Concord in April of 1775 and the Battle of Bunker Hill in June of 1775 demonstrated the King's "waging war against us" and his disregard for American lives. In December In December of December of 1775, of 1775, Parliament 1775, Parliament withdrew Parliament withdrew British withdrew British military protection military protection from the colonies and colonies and enacted and enacted a enacted a policy a policy of policy of seizure of seizure and seizure and confiscation and confiscation of confiscation of American of American ships American ships and ships and sailors ("...[King George] has plundered our he has constrained our fellow-citizens, taken fellow-citizens, taken captive taken captive on captive on the on the high the high "). high "). This "). This action This action also action also left also left colonists left colonists living on living on the frontier, the frontier, especially frontier, especially those especially those in those in Georgia, in Georgia, with Georgia, with no with no military no military protection military protection from protection from Native American Native American attacks American attacks ("...he attacks ("...he has ("...he has endeavored has endeavored to endeavored to bring to bring on bring on the on the inhabitants the inhabitants of inhabitants of our of our frontiers the merciless Indian "). Furthermore, the heightened tension between colonists and the King began to overflow into hostile relations between those colonists loyal colonists loyal to loyal to the to the king the king (Tories) king (Tories) and (Tories) and those and those seeking those seeking independence seeking independence (Whigs). independence (Whigs). This (Whigs). This tension actually tension actually erupted actually erupted into erupted into an into an armed an armed battle armed battle between battle between colonists between colonists in colonists in early in early 1776 early 1776 in 1776 in the in the Battle at Moore's Creek Bridge ("He has excited domestic insurrections among us..."). 

It is It is interesting is interesting to interesting to note to note that note that the that the Declaration

reserved his reserved his most his most scathing most scathing language scathing language to language to describe the King's use of mercenaries. Accusing George III's describe the King's George III's mercenaries of cruelty III's mercenaries of cruelty "scarcely paralleled "scarcely paralleled in paralleled in the in the most the most barbarous most barbarous ages, barbarous ages, and ages, and totally and totally unworthy totally unworthy the unworthy the head the head of head of a of a civilized nation, nation, "the "the Declarationto evoke from moderates moderates within within the the civilized nation, aims to evoke support evoke support from support from moderates within 

aims to colonies by revealing that that the civilization in in which they took took pride was no no colonies by revealing by revealing that the British the British civilization British civilization in which they which they took pride was pride was more than a cruel and tyrannical monarchy. 

Interestingly, Jefferson devoted approximately one-fourth of the abuses in his original draft of draft of the Declaration of Independence

to the to the topic the topic of topic of slavery. slavery. Jefferson . Jefferson held Jefferson held the held the King accountable King accountable for accountable for maintaining for maintaining and protecting and protecting slavery protecting slavery as slavery as an as an institution an institution in institution in the in the colonies. Not surprisingly, the moderate congress, already fearful of being too radical, , the moderate congress, already fearful of being too radical, removed all references to slavery from the document. It remains a source of historical debate why a slave-owning man like Jefferson would have devoted so much intellectual energy intellectual energy to energy to criticizing to criticizing slavery criticizing slavery and slavery and to and to attempting to attempting to attempting to remove to remove it remove it froit from the m the colonies. 

III. Between 1763 Between 1763 and 1763 and 1776, and 1776, American 1776, American colonists American colonists made colonists made many made many attempts many attempts to attempts to organize to organize in 

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Declaration of Independenceprotest against the acts of Parliament. The  represents the  represents the last in a long chain of declarations that began with the declaration of the Stamp Act last in a Congress of 1765, which stated colonists were entitled to the same rights as Englishmen. This Englishmen. This document This document also document also affirmed also affirmed that affirmed that taxing that taxing the taxing the colonists the colonists without colonists without their without their consent was a violation of their rights as British Citizens and that Parliament had no consent was a rights as that Parliament had no right to tax colonists. In 1774, after the passage of the Intolerable Acts, these themes right to tax colonists. In 1774, after would surface would surface again surface again in again in a in a document a document written document written by written by the by the First the First Continental First Continental Congress Continental Congress called Congress called the Declaration of Rights and Grievances.

This document This document clarified document clarified the clarified the Stampt the Stampt Act Stampt Act Congress declaration Congress declaration by declaration by stating by stating only stating only colonial only colonial legislatures colonial legislatures had legislatures had the had the right the right to right to tax to tax the tax the colonists. Additionally, colonists. Additionally, this Additionally, this document this document declared document declared the declared the Intolerable the Intolerable Acts Intolerable Acts unconstitutional Acts unconstitutional and criticized the King and Parliament for dissolving colonial assemblies, maintaining a standing army in peacetime, and for enforcing heavy taxation. Meeting again as the in peacetime, and for enforcing Second Continental Second Continental Congress Continental Congress in Congress in May in May of May of 1775, of 1775, the 1775, the delegates the delegates understood delegates understood that understood that things that things had only had only worsened only worsened between worsened between the between the colonists the colonists and colonists and the and the British the British government. British government. Although government. Although fighting had already broken out between minutemen and British troops, many delegates still pressed for a peaceful reconciliation. This congress issued a Declaration of Causes of Taking-up Arms

and sent and sent an sent an Olive-Branch an Olive-Branch Petition Olive-Branch Petition to Petition to the to the King to King to humbly to humbly request humbly request that request that he that he negotiate he negotiate a negotiate a peaceful a peaceful reconciliation. peaceful reconciliation. Once reconciliation. Once again, Once again, the again, the King ignored King ignored the ignored the requests the requests of requests of the of the colonists the colonists and colonists and responded and responded instead responded instead by instead by sending by sending an sending an additional 20,000 troops to the colonies. 

Throughout the struggle to assert their rights, colonial leaders understood the importance of importance of maintaining of maintaining unity maintaining unity between unity between the between the 13 the 13 colonies. 13 colonies. Samuel colonies. Samuel Adams Samuel Adams knew Adams knew that knew that the people would have to be persuaded to view an attack on one colony as an attack have to be persuaded have to view an attack on one colony as an attack to on all colonies. To help maintain a unified protest, Samuel Adams organized Committees of Committees of Correspondence of Correspondence in Correspondence in 1772 in 1772 to 1772 to ensure to ensure that ensure that colonies that colonies could colonies could stay could stay informed stay informed about new developments regarding the British King and Parliament. This information network proved network proved crucial proved crucial when crucial when the when the First the First Continental First Continental Congress Continental Congress agreed Congress agreed to agreed to boycott to boycott trade boycott trade with Great Britain and to refuse to use British resolution was reached. to refuse to use British goods British goods until a goods until a During the During the Second the Second Continental Second Continental Congress, Continental Congress, patriot Congress, patriot leaders patriot leaders carefully leaders carefully waited carefully waited to waited to declare to declare independence until independence until all until all delegations all delegations unanimously delegations unanimously supported unanimously supported it. supported it. Although it. Although the Although the colonies the colonies were technically at war Great Britain Britain for were technically at technically at war with war with Great with Great Britain for most for most of most of the of the time the time the time the congress the congress met, congress met, it met, it took them 14 months to write the formal declaration of war. After the rejection of the months to Olive Branch Olive Branch Petition, Branch Petition, the Petition, the publication the publication of publication of Thomas of Thomas Paine's Thomas Paine's Common Sense,

and the and the hiring of German mercenaries, all of which took place in early 1776, the themes stated in earlier in earlier declarations earlier declarations were declarations were finally put finally put to use to use to justify separation justify separation rather separation rather than reconciliation. 

The Declaration of Independence

relied on the content and claims of earlier declarations, but declarations, but firmly but firmly stated firmly stated that stated that ten that ten years ten years of years of peaceful of peaceful political peaceful political and political and economic and economic actions had reach the desired effect. Therefore, as concluded in this section, actions had failed to had failed to in this section, the King the King and King and Parliament and Parliament left Parliament left the left the colonists the colonists no colonists no other no other choice other choice but choice but to but to seek to seek separation seek separation through military means. 

IV. The conclusion The conclusion is conclusion is important is important in important in clarifying in clarifying the clarifying the identity the identity of identity of the new the new nation, new nation, as nation, as well as well as well as defining the defining the powers the powers granted powers granted to granted to the to the new the new government. new government. Many government. Many of Many of the of the delegates the delegates to delegates to the to the 

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Second Continental Second Continental Convention Continental Convention saw Convention saw the saw the Declaration the Declaration of Declaration of Independence of Independence as Independence as important as important because of because of the of the message the message it message it would it would send would send to send to foreign to foreign nations. foreign nations. They nations. They were They were especially were especially concerned with concerned with enlisting with enlisting the enlisting the military the military help military help of help of the of the French the French in French in their in their war their war against war against Great against Great Britain. They therefore They therefore thought therefore thought it necessary to necessary to assert to assert clearly assert clearly that they that they had no allegiance or connection to Great Britain. 

The new nation is not only named in this conclusion as the United States of America, nation is not only named in this conclusion as the United States of America, named but its authority is defined as well. The conclusion serves to establish the authority of but its authority the Second Continental Congress over issues of international affairs, war and peace, and trade. With these powers in hand, the Congress is empowered to run the affairs of government related to the declared war. 

However, the conclusion is unclear regarding the individual states' responsibilities to However, the conclusion is unclear regarding the individual states' DeclarationDeclaration describes each other. The itself as a union of colonies, each of which is a free and free and independent and independent state. independent state. This state. This is This is problematic is problematic because problematic because the because the statement the statement indicates statement indicates that indicates that the colonies are one united whole, while simultaneously stating that each state is free is free Declaration states that the former colonies, and independent. A few sentences later, the " as have full " as free as free and free and independent and independent states, ... independent states, ... have full power full power to power to levy to levy war," levy war," thereby war," thereby indicating thereby indicating that each state, each state, individually, has the right to right to levy war, levy war, make peace, make peace, etc. This etc. This inconsistency would later turn into a debate about the nature of the government of the United States. Was the United States a loose confederation of independent states, each of which could act on behalf of its own interest? Or, was the United States a strong centralized nation centralized nation in which the powers of the whole were stronger than the powers of nation in which the powers of the whole were stronger than the powers of each individual state? The Declaration states that the colonists mutual each individual state? the colonists have pledged colonists have pledged allegiance, but does that mean the pledge will continue beyond the war effort? 

摘自：/history/american/declaration/ 

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