The Legitimacy of the Declaration of Independence Essay

4,435. It is estimated that roughly 4,435 American deaths occurred in combat during the Revolutionary War (America’s Wars 2013). This figure does not include the thousands that also would have died from disease, malnutrition, etc. This figure, likewise, does not include the deaths from the British. How could these deaths possibly be justified? For a group of colonies that prided themselves in their Christian heritage, this destruction perhaps may seem ironic. After all, the famous words of 1 John 4:16 proclaim that, â€Å"God is love† (1 John 4:16 English Standard Version). In light of these words, then, how was the Declaration of Independence in any way a legitimate Christian response? To get to the bottom of this, a few areas will need to be†¦show more content†¦After more conflict, the British Crown proceeded to induce even more taxes on the colonies. Again, in 1774, with the â€Å"Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress,† taxes wer e again brought up in the 4th resolved declaration. This time, they again assert that the British Crown has no business taxing those who cannot represent themselves (Declaration and Resolves 1774). Clearly, the colonists simply wanted representation in Parliament and the motherland simply refused to grant them that right. Things also became worse when â€Å"Parliament in 1774 passed the Coercive (or â€Å"intolerable†) Acts† (Janda, Berry, and Goldman 2011, 64). One of these â€Å"Intolerable† Acts â€Å"Gave royal governors the power to quarter British soldiers in private American homes† (Janda, Berry, and Goldman 2011, 64). With this, the issue of taxation was no longer the most important consideration of the colonists, but their very liberty. Therefore, in the â€Å"Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress,† in addition to the issue of taxes, â€Å"The act passed†¦ for the better providing of suitable quarters for officers and soldiers in his majesty’s service, inShow MoreRelatedThe Declaration Of The Rights Of Man And Citizen1529 Words   |  7 PagesFrance’s, The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, played an integral role in the development of democracy and the pursuit of liberty throughout Europe. This document w as written and introduced by General Lafayette as a result of the French Revolution. The French Constituent Assembly passed it in August of 1789. Influenced by Thomas Jefferson, the American Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution, and the ideas of the Enlightenment philosophers, the document reiterates the valuesRead MoreEssay on Epitome of Enlightenment 1232 Words   |  5 PagesRevolution. 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