Before the Enlightenment, intellectual, social, and political authority came from unfounded traditional beliefs and religion. People did not test anything through rational analysis. Instead, they took them at face value and believed whatever they found those before them did. However, during the Enlightenment Era, this slowly changed as people challenged traditional ideas and religion through reason. According to World 101 (2017), various factors such as protestant reformation, philosophers, and the scientific revolution contributed significantly to the shift during the Enlightenment Era. Different philosophers such as John Locke, Voltaire, Jean-Jacque Rousseau, and Charles-Louis Montesquieu actively challenged political authority during this era. This opened people’s eyes to see the wrongs done to them under British rule, ultimately leading to the Declaration of Independence.
The Declaration of Independence clearly reflects enlightenment ideals of freedom and equality. Previously, subjects believed that kings and rulers were divinely appointed to rule and their authority was not to be questioned. However, the Declaration of Independence questions the King’s actions, laws, and policies by subjecting them to rational analysis. Secular thought reshaped people’s understanding of leadership and politics by introducing reason. According to John Locke, a government was legitimate under the condition that the governed consented to it; in this case, America had not consented to the leadership of the British monarchy, making it illegitimate. If the government did not protect its people, it could be overthrown. The British King harassed the United States through unfavourable laws, preventing trade, and excessive takes (Declaration of Independence, 1776), meaning it could be done away with.
The ideals of freedom and equality were not in place when the Declaration of Independence was made. At this point, the masses were just questioning things and intending to improve the world. The ideals of freedom and equality were a work in progress, which the nation hoped to achieve with time. According to Washington University (2022), by the time the Declaration of Independence was made, a third of those signing were slave owners, and a fifth of the population consisted of enslaved people. This shows how far from freedom and equality the nation was. Despite noting that all men were created equal and had a right to life and liberty, African Americans still languished in slavery and inequality.
Although the nation has not achieved perfect freedom and equality, these two ideals are true today to a great extent. Today, people are ruled by a government that they consent to through democracy, and if the government violates their rights, they have the freedom to lobby against it. The nation is also far from where it was regarding equality when the Declaration of Independence was made. No people are enslaved today or segregated, the system is intentional about equality, and when that does not happen, people have the freedom of speech against inequality. Today’s governance system also ensures that power is not concentrated in the hands of one person. Instead, the government is divided into branches as envisioned by Montesquieu. This shows a shift from an absolute power that could not be challenged, meaning people have more freedom.
The government is responsible for carrying out the ideals that the founders envisioned. Previously, leadership hindered freedom and equality through oppressive laws, policies, and actions. This means that the best way to reverse this is to have a government that can make the right laws and enforce them to improve the situation. For instance, through the Declaration of Independence, the King of Britain would harass Americans and tax them unfairly. To reverse this, the government must ensure that everyone is protected and no one is mistreated. The government can also protect these ideals by holding leaders who violate them accountable.
As an individual citizen, I can fulfil these ideals in various ways. Such ways include using my voice where necessary, creating awareness to other people, voting, continuously educating myself and others, and supporting organizations involved in such missions. Engaging with elected officials can also help discuss where issues lie and influence better policies. To promote equality, I can start by treating everyone fairly through an inclusive culture and encouraging others to do the same. Being intentional about equality and freedom at a personal level helps make the nation better when many willing individuals come together.
Reference
Jefferson, T. (1776). The Declaration of Independence. Verso Books.
Washington University. (2022). Created Equal: Slavery and the Declaration of Independence. https://library.wustl.edu/exhibitions/created-equal/#:~:text=Though%20the%20Declaration%20of%20Independence,Declaration’s%20signers%20were%20personally%20enslavers.
World 101. (2017). What is the Enlightenment, and how did it transform politics? Council on Foreign Relations. https://world101.cfr.org/contemporary-history/prelude-global-era/what-enlightenment-and-how-did-it-transform-politics
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