Analysis Of The Declaration Of Sentiments

Common Sense and the Declaration of Independence are two very important documents in American history. Written by Thomas Paine, although not an official document, promotes thoughts that the citizens understood and needed, but did not know how to express their actions and ideas. The Declaration states the necessary reasons for independence in the colonies as well as the importance that their are equal rights. The Declaration announced to the world as a unanimous decision that the thirteen colonies would split from Britain (“The Declaration of Independence”). Both showcase arguments and concepts that display reasons for independence of the colonies and human equality rights.

“We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men and women are created equal” (Voices 204). This phrase appears in the Declaration of Sentiments which clearly appears to be derived from the original document, the Declaration of Independence. However, there is a slight adjustment from the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson, to the Declaration of Sentiments by Elizabeth Stanton, because it includes women into this phrase. The role of women appears to reflect the many differences, yet noticeable similarities in both documents in order to strengthen the argument for equal rights found in the Declaration of Sentiments. These notable similarities and differences

The Declaration of Independence is arguably the most important historical work of the pre-modern era. Because of this document, America was recognized for its brash, albeit just demands for independence from Britain. Aside from the obvious historical significance and precedence of the document, its composition was constructed in such a way that conveyed the determination of a new nation to be one in its own. Historical context and rhetorical strategies, such as appeals and fallacies, are used cohesively throughout the Declaration of Independence to convey American sentiments of independence throughout the American Revolution.

     The Declaration of Independence was the cornerstone of American freedom and equality. By writing this document, the American Colonies could now begin the process of starting a new way of life and a new government. Obviously, at the time the Declaration of Independence was written the concept of “equality” was more limited than it is today. Certainly, all members of colonial America did not share equal status. However the concepts of the Declaration of Independence have evolved more fully over the centuries

The opening paragraph of Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s Declaration of Sentiments, which narrates, “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary…,” (Stanton 1), along with the title itself reveals a connection to Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence. Elizabeth Cady Stanton wrote the declaration after being excluded from the World Anti-Slavery convention, much like how the colonists were excluded from British Parliament. Declaration of Sentiments lists the grievances of women, which is another similarly to Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence where he lists the grievances of the colonists. Stanton introduced her Declaration of Sentiments at the Seneca Falls Convention, which further conveys similarity to Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence as his Declaration of Independence was introduced at the Second Continental Congress. Stanton, modeling her Declaration of Sentiments after Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence, uses anaphora, the rhetorical triangle, allusions, personification, and harsh diction to achieve her effect of inspiring change to the benefit of women in society, similar to how Thomas Jefferson inspired change in the colonies through his Declaration of Independence.

On June of 1776, the Declaration of Independence was born. Drawn up by Thomas Jefferson and based on the works of John Locke, the general purpose of the document was to clarify that governments have conditional, not absolute authority over the people; that human beings possess natural rights that can’t be taken from them and government is created to protect those rights. The phrases “unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” and “all men are created equal” were the main theme of the social contract written for the small colonies of what would be the basis of the United States of America to declare independence from Great Britain and its tyrannical king. However, “unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” and “all men are created equal” did not apply to African Americans, enslaved or free for the coming years.

The US Constitution, The Declaration of Independence as well as the Letter to the Danbury Baptist are not just historical documents, but some of if not the most important documents of the history of our nation. Although, similar in many facets the intentions and the goal pursued by each highlight their individuality. The fact that the Declaration of Independence was the first to be implemented and signed is of significant importance as it set the pace and put in motion the proceeding documents that followed. Ultimately, my goal is to not only show their comparisons or where they may contrast, but to highlight what makes these documents profound and therefore still relative and valid even today.

The Declaration of Independence was written upon the 3 pillars of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. To those around the world, United States of America was known as the land of the free. Though the history of America reflects a lifetime of oppression and what the true idea of freedom was. The Declaration of Independence was established to underline the unalienable rights of all U.S. Citizens. These rights were written down on paper but not granted to everyone. Some women felt excluded from the aspects of this document. Women were fighting for their freedom from their own country.

Few documents through American history have withstood the test of time and have become statement pieces for our society. In this group, the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson and Common Sense by Thomas Paine both hold high positions. Thomas Paine wrote “The Crisis”, which was a chapter in his pamphlet Common Sense, which advocated that the thirteen original colonies gain independence from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence was a government document written in 1776 that proclaims America a state of democracy not connected to Britain. Although they share a general topic, both feature a wide range of similarities and differences to each other. These similarities include the times they were written, similarities in the

The Declaration of Sentiments spelt out that both men and women are born equal and their Creator has provided each one of them with the right to have a life of liberty and happiness. If these rights have not been restored, it is then the responsibility of the Government to ensure the safety and happiness of its people.

The events and people of history influence the events and people of later time periods; this became evident in two of the most famous historical documents - the English Bill of Rights and the American Declaration of Independence; also, both documents reflect the writings of seventeenth century philosophers. The Declaration of Independence is a formal document that began the American colonists’ quest for freedom from the British monarchy. Written in 1776, the American Declaration contains many similarities to the English Bill of Rights - a text written to the British monarchs almost a century earlier. The Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights each comment on the same issue; however, they differ in rhetorical situations. Not only was the Declaration influenced by the Bill of Rights but it was also evident that the document had been influenced by John Locke; on the contrary, the Bill of Rights had been influenced by Thomas Hobbes. Although written in different time periods, by different men, and based on different philosophies, the premises of the Bill of Rights are replicated in the Declaration. Both documents are similar in the fact that they are written to oppose the rule of British monarchs, to end the oppression of their

The document was specifically written for women and the events that revolved around their poor conditions in the past. It was also evident that one of its objectives was to promote and endorse feminism. This was due to the fact that women in America were being oppressed up until the mid-20th century. As Martha C. Wright indicated, the American women at the time, specifically the wives,

Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence had the intention of changing minds. Signed on July 4, 1776, this historical document was meant to reach beyond oceans. First, Jefferson opens up the declaration by presenting why the actions of rebellion by the American people were legitimate. Secondly, it targeted citizens of foreign countries such as France and mentions universal values such as “sacred Honor” and “the voice of justice” to effectively connect with the prospective readers. Jefferson describes in detail injustices the British king committed against the colonists to justify their separation from the “Crown” as he puts it. Furthermore, the potential reader whether an average citizen or foreign leader is see the thirteen colonies