| An interesting point to make here, is that the Declaration of Independence, like most government documents, are subject to have their meanings change over time. In 1776, it was simply the justification for the split with our "Mother Country" - but its importance had changed a great deal, and has become the overwhelming ideology followed by Americans. The Declaration of Independence was widely copied by other nations as they followed in their quest for independence! |
More Notes: In 1776, citizenship had not yet been defined. It was generally accepted that rights of equality were only granted white males who owned property, and was often limited by church affiliations! |
Vocabulary: franchise: this means the "right to vote" - another word we use for this is "suffrage" due process: this means equal treatment under the law |
Other Notes: The right to vote, or suffrage, has been the subject of many of the amendments to the U.S. Constitution. What does public education have to do with all this? Most Americans believe that people should be "equal"; that is equal before the law (due process) and have an equal opportunity at success. Education fits in with the opportunity! |
Vocabury: liberty: generally means freedom |
It took the U.S. until 1865 to finally abolish slavery - but even that was not a guarantee of equality. Women and other minorities were the victims of tremendous discrimination. Civil Rights protections continue to be a debatable topic! |
| Thomas Jefferson was very careful to use the term "pursuit of happiness". It truly fits the American identity - there are no guarantees that happiness will be achieved, nor that all people will be equal in their property! Over time, the government has taken a larger role in trying to protect the "game" at which we all play. |
