The Declaration of Independence has become an iconic document in the history of the American people. It is a symbol of the nation’s start and of the most crucial principles which carried the country forward until today: liberty, equality, and self-rule. On the 4th of July, 1776, Jefferson drafted. The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration that declared the independence of the then-thirteen colonies from British rule. In that way, the basics of the United States were set. This article intends to understand the changes the Declaration statement went through by making a comparison between the initial and final versions. On closer inspection, these differences bring forth a more profound understanding of the purposes, debates, and solutions that were intertwined in the making of this ground-breaking document. Specifically, we will explore two essential alterations: the elimination of a denunciation of slavery, as well as the replacement of “subjects” with “citizens”. Finally, our concluding result emerges as the unravelling of the intricate layers of America’s founding principles and never-ending struggles for justice and equality.
In comparing the draft and final versions of the Declaration of Independence, two significant differences emerge: the deletion of the ‘ slaves ‘ phrase and the substitution [of] ‘ citizens ‘ of this passage. The deletion of slavery reflects the controversy on slave institutions among our first fathers. This act more profoundly indicates that the ideals of liberty and the economic interests of the states of the owners of enslaved people are opposing ideas. This problem will become clearer with the development of American values. “Subjects” will be replaced by “citizens” in the new rhetoric. The change in rhetoric will amplify the issue of sovereignty and equality in the American people. This linguistic change thus embodies a shift from colonial subjects under British rule to self-reliant citizens forming a new nation. Hence, the change of language reinforces the rising consciousness of American identity and self-determination. Through this variety of comments, one can tell of the issues of morality, politics and language that created the final Declaration of Independence.
The removal of the passage denouncing slavery from the draft of the Declaration of Independence has profound implications for the understanding of the complex past of that era. Scholar works, for example, Smith (2021), inform us about slavery, moral dilemmas and profound debates, especially in the First Fathers times. During the drafting of the Declaration, slavery had already solidified itself in American society, particularly in the Southern colonies, where it played a significant role in the economic well-being of the region. Such a deliberate neglect of the condemnation of slavery highlights the extent of the political and ideological compromises to be made in order to reach a united stance of the colonies. The founding fathers had the challenge of balancing the profound ideas of liberty and equality with practical considerations of colonial unity. The elimination of the slavery passage, therefore, encompasses much broader geopolitical considerations because condemning slavery may have isolated potential allies, particularly the Southern states that were” based on this institution. So, even though the Declaration boldly pronounced the principles of freedom, it only talked about the intentions of the Founding Fathers and implied the complexity and ambivalence of this stage in the history of our country.
The district “subjects” with “citizens” of the original version of the Declaration of Independence deliver critical messages and lead to various changes in the mood and meaning of the whole document. Publications, such as Komiljon o’g (2024), show the linguistic and rhetorical techniques that the Founders used. Changing the word “subjects” to “citizens” gives a clear sign that the connection of the American people to their government has now been revolutionized. “Subjects” insinuate domination to a ruling power, while “citizens” express fulfilling roles in a self-governing society through participation and equality. This linguistic change represents the founders’ devotion to creating a country whose authority originates from the people rather than the sovereign’s will. It demonstrates the end of colonization and the birth of a sovereign nation with democratic values. By embracing the term “citizens,” the Declaration reaffirms the inherent rights and responsibilities of individuals within a collective body politic, laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and participatory form of governance.
Tearing the “slavery” passage and replacing “subjects” with “citizens” both built the final version of the Declaration of Independence, which covered ideological rationales, political reasons, and practical circumstances. Those transformations obviously showed that drafting the Constitution, which included high liberty principles and at the same time kept the unity of colonies, was more complex (Ray & Perry, 2020). Although the simple intent in this sentence is striking and lets us know that the past had included some compromises, on the other hand, the word «citizen» was a new stage towards the governance of the people and democratic values. In sum, the incorporation of the changes mentioned above shows how the founding principles of the USA and the contemporary position of power and governance are in a continuous dialogue. In the language followed and in the content, the Declaration tells the story of how the nation has tried to make a more fair and inclusive society, at the same time, as a constant reminder of the unequal and contradictory conflicts that are ingrained in the history of America.
To explore the alterations between the draft and text versions of the Declaration of Independence, it is necessary to focus on argumentative and ideological discussions which formed the basis of the American founding statement. The review of these changes excludes the fact that American ideals and principles have been evolving from one period to another and, therefore, portrays the struggle to maintain notions of freedom, equality, and self-governance. The Declaration remains relevant for now because it functions as a guiding light of liberty, calling forth the following generations to the pursuit of an ideal union. In spite of its drawbacks, it constitutes one of the main elements of the patriotic ideals of the United States, guiding us in a struggle for freedom and fairness.
References
Komiljon o‘g, O. A. Y. (2024). HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF AMERICAN PROSE AS A LITERARY TREND. Ta’lim innovatsiyasi va integratsiyasi, 16(3), 78-85.http://web-journal.ru/index.php/ilmiy/article/view/3550/3424
Ray, R., & Perry, A. M. (2020). Why we need reparations for Black Americans. Policy, 1-5.https://www.ptcondo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Brookings-Institute.pdf
Smith, E. B. (2021). Steven Skultety was named director of the Declaration of Independence Center.
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