Meaning of the Declaration of Independence?

Question

What were Locke's theories in the Preamble and the second paragragh of the Declaration of Independence? Are they still relavent today? I have to write an essay answering these questions and I read the Declaration, but I don't understand it all! Can someone please explain it to me? Please help.

Answer 1

John Locke, an Englishman who lived many years before America began its move to independence, introduced the ideas of the sovereignty of the people rather than kings, the people’s natural right to govern themselves, and their right to use revolution to attain these ends. These ideas were used by Jefferson in the opening section of the Declaration as a means of establishing the legitimacy of that document for all who would read it.

Answer 2

The United States Declaration of Independence was an act of the Second Continental Congress, adopted on July 4, 1776, which declared that the Thirteen Colonies in North America were "Free and Independent States" and that "all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved." The document, formally entitled The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America, explained the justifications for separation from the British crown, and was an expansion of Richard Henry Lee's Resolution (passed by Congress in July 2), which first proclaimed independence. An engrossed copy of the Declaration was signed by most of the delegates on August 2 and is now on display in the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C.
The Declaration is considered to be the founding document of the United States of America, where July 4 is celebrated as Independence Day and the nation's birthday. At the time the Declaration was issued, the American colonies were "united" in declaring their independence from Great Britain. John Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence.
US President Abraham Lincoln succinctly explained the central importance of the Declaration to American history in his Gettysburg Address of 1863:
"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence

Answer 3

Delectation Of Independence

Answer 4

Look up John Locke, with special attention to his beliefs about natural law. (You could also read a good encyclopedia entry on Natural Law.) Then look at what the Declaration says about what rights people have, what the purpose of government is, where a government gets its power from, and what people can and should do about a government that violates or fails to protect people's rights. I'm sure you'll be able to see the influence of Locke's thinking.

Answer 5

The country is declaring itself independent by cutting ties from the Mother Country.

Answer 6

well 1st off the preamble is the 1st sentence in the Constitution that might help basically we have rights and delectation of Independence is stating our Independence from England. i think!

Answer 7

Maybe you can look up some dictionary of legal documents on line.