[Name of the Writer]

[Name of Instructor]

[Subject]

[Date]

Epitome of Enlightenment

Introduction

Enlightenment is not merely one school of thought or a movement. It was a set of values more than a The Enlightenment was less a compilation of ideas. The basic idea was the critical questioning of customs, traditional institutions, and values and strongly supporting the science, logic and rationality. The American declaration of independence in 1776 is one of the most significant examples of the document incorporating the enlightenment ideas. The enlightenment principles were a source of motivation to the authors of this historic document (http://dogofletters.wordpress.com). It forwarded some rules and eliminated some vices; therefore, it would not be wrong to call it an epitome of enlightenment.

Discussion

The Declaration of Independence, created in 1776, is the most significant document of the principles of U.S. democracy in the history of USA. It is the document of founding and basic ideas of the United States and proves that of the country is striving to provide equal rights to everybody and sustain a popular government (Batten, 2010, pp. 388-390).

Background

The Second Continental Congress voted for freedom from Great Britain on July 2, 1776. It set up a committee comprising of five members: Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, John Adams, Robert R. Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson to write a draft of independence to impact public opinion at national and international level. Jefferson had forceful and persuasive writing abilities; therefore, he received the task to draft the document. It was a result of the revolutionary war.

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress accepted the Declaration of Independence on for the people of American colonies, which were under the British rule. The Declaration proposed different reasons for the newly born United States. This document played the role of propaganda statement in politics in order to create support for American independence overseas, in countries like, France. It clearly outlined the intentions of British rule and was the fundamental document of governmental ideals Batten, 2010, pp 388).

How it is an epitome of enlightenment?

The term epitome of enlightenment means the source of critical ideas or thoughts, such as the prevalence of democracy, and freedom and designed to support primary values of people of a society. Considering these factors, it would not be wrong to say that the Declaration of Independence serves as an epitome of enlightenment (http://dogofletters.wordpress.com).

Democracy

The American declaration of independence contained 30 grievances against the actions ...