The Declaration of Independence

    The Declaration of Independence is the statement adopted by the Second Continental Congress meeting on July 4, 1776, written by Thomas Jefferson, which announced freedom of the thirteen American colonies from Great Britain’s control, they formed a new nation—the United States of America.

    Many major actions and events led to the Continental Congress issuing the Declaration of Independence. In 1765, Stamp Act, the English announced a tax on most papers, like newspapers, playing cards and other items. This caused anger to the colonies, Americans boycotted British goods. In 1766, Stamp act was repealed after merchants protesting due to their goods not being allowed and officials being threatened. However, the same day, Parliament passed the Declaratory Acts, asserting that the British government had free and total legislative power over the colonies. In 1767, Townshend Acts, colonies had to pay tax on glass, lead, paints, paper and tea. The Americans boycotted, and British eventually repealed all taxes except the one on tea. In 1770, in response to colonies’ widespread violent protests, British repealed the act. But the Townshend Act eventually resulted in Boston Massacre in 1770.  British soldiers fired killing five Americans and wounding six others. This event was viewed as an example of British cruelty and made Americans hate British more. It also leaded to Committee of Correspondence in 1773. In 1773, Tea Act, British lowered the price of tea extremely. The East India Tea Company exported tea straight to the 13 colonies. This was important because they did not want to get taxed. This leaded to the Boston Tea Party later in 1773, colonists dressed as Indians stormed into the Boston harbor and dumped 23 thousand pounds of tea into the harbor. British ships were burned as well. The Americans believed that because of the Tea Act, the British were trying steal their independence and freedom. In 1774, A British warship, named the Gaspée, burned, and the captain was terribly wounded, that was Gaspée Affair, it expressed the anger of Americans. Also in 1774, The Intolerable Acts, the colonists were forced to house and feed the British troops, it increased the resentment of Americans. In 1774, the First Continental Congress, Colonies made a congress, they sent a message to King George III saying the colonists were loyal to him, but he must respect their rules. It showed how they can handle themselves, also the Congress decided to stop trading with England until they were allowed to take part in governing themselves. In 1775, Battle of Lexington and Concord, British sent 700 soldiers to Concord to stop the colonies from building an army, but they were defeated by an untrained and angry militia, the surprise victory bolsters American troops’ confidence for the war ahead. In 1775, Battle of Bunker Hill, The first great battle of the Revolutionary War. The last one was the second Continental Congress in 1775, all colonies were represented. Also, this was important because George Washington was chosen as the Commander-in-Chief. The second Congress managed the colonial war effort, and moved towards independence. During the whole time, American Revolution played an important role, thirteen colonies gathered together to overthrew the authority of Great Britain which also result in the Declaration of Independence.

   All of the events above resulted in the Declaration of Independence. There are many advantages of declaring independence, first is the possibility of financial assistance from France. Second is the better treatment for soldiers captured during the Revolutionary War. Third is the independence could unite the colonists. The last one is freedom from the control of United Kingdom. In the Declaration of Independence, it contains two powerful implications: every person is an independent unit, equals with everyone; everyone has right to pursuit life, happiness and liberty. This idea of human equality could be extended to the whole the society. The significance of Declaration of Independence has always been a central theme of American history. It helps United States to become a truly democratic and multicultural nation.

  The First Party System is a model of American politics used in history and political science to periodize the political party system existing in the United States between roughly 1792 and 1824. The two visions of America’s national growth underlay the first party system are the Federalist party and the Republican party. The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, advocated the importance of a strong central government in leading the country forward, while the Democratic Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson, promoted increasing the common man’s role in government.