Formal Blog # 2: The Declaration of Independence vs. Founding Ideals

America, a country built on five founding ideals democracy, rights, opportunity, liberty, and equality. The ideals are what we as Americans strive for and the reason we are living in the United States. Specifically in The Declaration of Independence it is revealed that their main focus is liberty. Though they do care about the various other founding ideals it mainly is focused on the amount of freedom and independence we have from the British. The tone and rhetoric used in The Declaration of Independence is shown to have a relationship with the founding ideals of America. For example the tone in the document is strong, passionate, intelligent, and very organized. This shows that the authors can be seen as honest and trustworthy. Without this trust the founding ideals cannot and will not be presented by the authors and the document. 

The authors use the words “we” in the document regularly, this is meant to add a connection and to show collective agreement. This also brings the reader in and helps them feel included in the text. In addition to using the word “we” the authors use the word “he”. This shows the authors does not want to speak about a specific person they want to make the reader believe they are talking about anyone. This is important because it shows equality and shows that everyone had a part in the fight for independence. "All men are created equal that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, an the pursuit of happiness," is stated in the document and is a true example of how they focused on equality and happiness for all. The Declaration of Independence resembles and signifies freedom and equality. Americans gaze upon it as the start of our history so this is why it is important to understand what it is composed of. 

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html