Argumentative Essay: The Declaration of Independence

Every day Americans speak their mind without fearing repercussions. Without the Declaration of Independence, this right would not be ensured. When Thomas Jefferson spoke out and encouraged the colonists to rebel against the King of Britain, the right to freedom of speech was practiced. The colonists rebelled against the tyrannical king, ultimately gaining their independence. The Declaration of Independence is essential to understanding the foundation of American literature because it influenced the American belief in freedom of speech.

The Declaration of Independence initially established freedom of speech by showing that Americans have the right to rebel or revolt against a tyrannical leader. The King of Britain took direct actions that harmed the colonists that some looked over. Others recognized these actions but did not fight them. Some of these tyrannical acts Jefferson considered were: "Cutting off our trade with all parts of the world; for imposing taxes on us without our consent; for depriving us [] of the benefits of trial by jury" (Jefferson 357). These unfair acts launched the idea of colonists having the right to rebel. When the colonists revolted, they enforced the freedom of speech. They recognized they were ruled by a tyrannical king and acted on it. They stuck up for themselves and fought against the king. After a revolution, the community changes, and this is what Jefferson wanted for the colonies. He mentions the qualities of being an independent state which he says are: "Full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce and to do all other acts and things impotent states may of right do" (Jefferson 360). The freedom to revolt against Britain, according to the Declaration of Independence, would bring the colonists all of these fantastic rights that they lacked. Without the freedom to speak up and revolt, these rights would not have appeared. The Declaration of independence encouraged the colonists to practice their right to freedom of speech and turn the colonies into a fair community.

Jefferson's use of propaganda against the king ultimately pushed the right to freedom of speech. He previously only stated the king's direct actions against the colonists but took it to another level by using forceful language. Jefferson writes how the king directly harmed the colonists and claims: "Murdering the people of whom he obtruded..." (Jefferson 358). Comparing the king to a criminal made the colonists feel the need to rebel. Since he was in complete control of the colonists, this heightened their fear and anger. The freedom of speech was pushed by Jefferson, calling the king a murderer. This motivated the colonists to change because they felt their duty was to take action against their unfit leader. Jefferson continued using propaganda to influence the minds of the colonists and further pushing the freedom of speech. The king's actions were extremely harmful to the colonists. Jefferson says this by using strong words, saying the king: "Destroyed the lives of our people" (Jefferson 358). This text claims the king destroyed the community and lives of the people he was supposed to protect. This induced a reason to fight in the colonists, therefore causing them to desire a better life. This text exposed the king for his actions and framed him as a corrupt leader. This information about the king gave the colonists a clear chance to decide what steps to take. The Declaration of Independence is packed with propaganda against the king, pushing the right of speech further and sparking a motive for the colonists to rebel. 

Jefferson enforces the freedom of speech by using propaganda to convince the colonists to rebel. The right to revolt is one of the core ideas included in the text. The motivation for the colonists to gain their independence would not have arisen without the Declaration of Independence. Even today, this right is practiced and highly important for a functional society and government. 

Works Cited

Jefferson, Thomas. Declaration of Independence. The Norton Anthology American Literature, edited by Robert Levine, W. W. & Company, Inc., 2016, pp. 357-360.