United States Declaration of Independence
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| + | "[[We hold these truths to be self-evident]], that [[all men are created equal]], that they are endowed by their Creator with certain [[Natural and legal rights |unalienable]] Rights, that among these are [[Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness|Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness]]." --second paragraph of the ''[[United States Declaration of Independence]]'' by Thomas Jefferson | ||
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| - | # government by a singular authority, either a single person or tight-knit group, which rules with absolute power, see [[tyranny]] | ||
| - | '''Despotism''' is a [[form of government]] by a single authority, either an [[autocracy|individual]] or [[oligarchy|tightly knit group]], which rules with absolute political power. In its classical form, a despotism is a state where one single person, called a ''Despot'', wields all the power and authority, and everyone else is considered his slave. This form of despotism was the first known form of statehood and civilization; the [[Pharaoh]] of [[Egypt]] is a hallmark of a classical Despot. | + | The '''United States Declaration of Independence''' is a statement adopted by the [[Second Continental Congress|Continental Congress]] on July 4, 1776, which announced that the [[Thirteen Colonies|thirteen American colonies]] then at war with [[Kingdom of Great Britain|Great Britain]] were now independent states, and thus no longer a part of the [[British Empire]]. Written primarily by [[Thomas Jefferson]], the Declaration is a formal explanation of why Congress had voted on July 2 to [[Lee Resolution|declare independence]] from Great Britain, more than a year after the outbreak of the [[American Revolutionary War]]. The birthday of the [[United States|United States of America]]—[[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]]—is celebrated on July 4, the day the wording of the Declaration was approved by Congress. |
| - | The term now implies [[Tyrant|tyrannical]] rule. However, in [[enlightened absolutism]] (also known as benevolent or enlightened despotism), which came to prominence in [[18th century]] Europe, absolute [[monarchy|monarchs]] used their authority to institute a number of reforms in the political systems and societies of their countries. This movement was probably largely triggered by the ideals of the [[Age of Enlightenment]]. | + | After finalizing the text on July 4, Congress issued the Declaration of Independence in several forms. It was initially published as a printed [[Dunlap broadside|broadside]] that was widely distributed and read to the public. The most famous version of the Declaration, a signed copy that is usually regarded as ''the'' Declaration of Independence, is on display at the [[National Archives and Records Administration|National Archives]] in [[Washington, D.C.]] Although the wording of the Declaration was approved on July 4, the date of its signing has been disputed. Most historians have concluded that it was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed. |
| - | Even though the word has a pejorative meaning nowadays, it was once a legitimate title of office in the [[Byzantine Empire]]. Just as the word "Byzantine" is often used in a pejorative way (for specific reasons by certain Enlightenment authors wishing to express disapproval of that period in history), the word "Despot" was equally turned around for negative meaning. In fact, "Despot" was an Imperial title, first used under [[Manuel I Komnenos]] (1143–1180) who created it to his appointed heir [[Béla III of Hungary|Alexius-Béla]]. According to Gyula Moravcsik this title was a simple translation of Béla's Hungarian title 'úr', but other historians believe it comes from the ancient Greek, ''despotes'' (literally, 'the master'). In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] [[Liturgy]], if celebrated in [[Greek language|Greek]], the [[priest]] is addressed by the [[deacon]] as "despot" even today. | + | The sources and interpretation of the Declaration have been the subject of much scholarly inquiry. The Declaration justified the independence of the United States by listing colonial grievances against [[George III of the United Kingdom|King George III]], and by asserting certain [[Natural and legal rights|natural rights]], including a [[right of revolution]]. Having served its original purpose in announcing independence, the text of the Declaration was initially ignored after the [[American Revolution]]. Its stature grew over the years, particularly the second sentence, a sweeping statement of [[human rights]]: |
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| - | It was typically bestowed on sons-in-law and later sons of the Emperor, and beginning in the 13th century it was bestowed to foreign princes. The Despot wore an elaborate costume similar to the Emperor's and had many privileges. Despots ruled over parts of the empire called [[Despotate]]s. | + | |
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| - | The English government is cited to have reduced the American people under absolute despotism in the [[United States Declaration of Independence]]. "But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." | + | |
| + | <blockquote>[[We hold these truths to be self-evident]], that [[all men are created equal]], that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are [[Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness|Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness]].</blockquote> | ||
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"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." --second paragraph of the United States Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson |
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The United States Declaration of Independence is a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain were now independent states, and thus no longer a part of the British Empire. Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration is a formal explanation of why Congress had voted on July 2 to declare independence from Great Britain, more than a year after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War. The birthday of the United States of America—Independence Day—is celebrated on July 4, the day the wording of the Declaration was approved by Congress.
After finalizing the text on July 4, Congress issued the Declaration of Independence in several forms. It was initially published as a printed broadside that was widely distributed and read to the public. The most famous version of the Declaration, a signed copy that is usually regarded as the Declaration of Independence, is on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Although the wording of the Declaration was approved on July 4, the date of its signing has been disputed. Most historians have concluded that it was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed.
The sources and interpretation of the Declaration have been the subject of much scholarly inquiry. The Declaration justified the independence of the United States by listing colonial grievances against King George III, and by asserting certain natural rights, including a right of revolution. Having served its original purpose in announcing independence, the text of the Declaration was initially ignored after the American Revolution. Its stature grew over the years, particularly the second sentence, a sweeping statement of human rights:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
