Category: Declaration Of Independence

The Declaration of Independence: John Hancock’s Legacy

John Hancock: From Signature to Legacy

Who has the larger signature, John Hancock or President Trump? Not surprisingly, the answer is President Trump. But John Hancock’s signature was bigger than the rest of them on the Declaration of Independence for a very different reason, though. Some legends say the extra large and largely famous signature on the Declaration of Independence was because John Hancock wanted to brag about it in reference to King George and his poor eyesight.

But actually, the real reason was that his signature was the first and only signature on the document for two whole years. Hancock’s bravery and willingness to lose everything for the liberty of a land that he had four generations of history in is represented in that beautiful script. He was a trendsetter and goal-getter and deserves to be remembered as much more than just the biggest signature on one of the most important documents in the history of our nation.

Hancock was born January 12th, 1737 (according to the calendar in use at the time) to his father, a minister named John Hancock, and his mother, Mary Hawke, in a town called Braintree, Massachusetts. At the age of seven, his father passed away, so he was adopted by his aunt and uncle, who were childless and very wealthy. In 1750, they sent him to Harvard University, and by 1763 they made him a full partner in their family company named “The House of Hancock. Once his uncle passed away in 1764, he inherited the company and continued to do well for himself, being labeled as one of the richest men in Massachusetts at only 27 years old. Well respected and loved for his empathy for people, he employed about one thousand people at his company and became a pillar in the community.

Hancock’s Defiance: Influential Voice in Colonial Struggles

Although he was favored by employees and friends, he was targeted by British law enforcers for his patriotic mentality. This is one of the reasons that he began having issues with Great Britain passing laws like the Stamp Act in 1766. He was a businessman, and having such high taxes on goods was affecting his business. He was ornate, vocal, and powerful in his own right, and he used his power of persuasion and influence to fight the Stamp Act. He fought to have it repealed, and he and many others thought that the battle was won. Little did they know this was only the beginning.

He was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives and served there until 1772. Unfortunately, in 1767 because he did not support their tax hikes and was boycotting British goods, they seized one of his ships called the “Liberty” and accused him of smuggling in goods without paying taxes. This move of the British government only made the colonial public more upset, and they became even more united against their rule. Like a Domino effect, the Boston Massacre in 1770 was the final straw. John Hancock demanded that the troops be removed to Castle Williams, and because he was successful, he was elected to the General Court.

Throughout all of the nonsense with the British Government, he still managed to fall in love with a woman named Dorothy Quincy. They ended up having two children who sadly both passed away young. John Hancock was willing to take action, ruffling enough feathers to make a difference even if it cost him everything. His popularity and knack for influencing the public helped to bring everyone together.

But the pre-war political battles with the British caused a lot of strife for him, his colleagues, and friends. Publications and announcements were used to counteract the moves of the British government, but it was ultimately his skill with words and way with people that brought his intentions to fruition. To Hancock, it was important the movement not include violence as Samuel Adam was suggesting, and because Hancock had the money to support the movement and Samuel did not, he was able to have more control.

Hancock’s Bold Signature: Symbol of Sacrifice and Courage

I believe the reason that John Hancock’s “John Hancock” was so big is because he was the first one to sign it, and there was almost half a page of blank space. It was not to be arrogant or to make a statement such as President Trump likely does. He was the first and the only one to sign the Declaration for two whole years, and he was willing to risk life and limb for it. Signing that day was a possible death sentence.

It was considered treason, and I am sure that the other men were probably thankful that they had to get approval from their home bases before signing because they would not have to be self-proclaimed traitors in the public eye. It was very brave and gutsy, to say the least. He signed because he believed that he could make a difference. I think he saw the British taking advantage of the colonies and knew that he had to be the one to do something about it. And I, for one, am so glad that he did!

References:

1. Flexner, J. T. (1968). John Hancock: His Book. Boston: Little, Brown and Company.
2. Middlekauff, R. (2005). The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789. Oxford University Press.
3. Miller, J. C. (2012). John Hancock: Merchant King and American Patriot. Wiley.
4. Fischer, D. H. (1994). Paul Revere’s Ride. Oxford University Press.
5. Ferling, J. E. (2007). A Leap in the Dark: The Struggle to Create the American Republic. Oxford University Press.
6. Maier, P. (1997). American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence. Vintage.
7. Chernow, R. (2004). Alexander Hamilton. Penguin Books.
8. Ellis, J. J. (2002). Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation. Vintage.

Debunking Myths: Declaration of Independence & the American Revolution

Myths & Misconceptions: Distorted Narratives

The American Revolution was an era that marked American history. During this era, the Americans teamed up and commenced a war against their colonialists. Washington led to the victory of USA citizens in defeating the Europeans, and it led to a stalemate within American history. The Continental Congress on July 4th voted to adopt the Declaration of Independence and, therefore, the unification of American citizens.

The traditional story of this era results in misconceptions and beliefs and also the emergence of myths among Americans. Many books are written explaining detailed information about American history. Different sources of this story have led to the event of assorted myths. These myths include the date the US became independent, the biting of clay pipes to avoid germs, the war was fought over foreign taxes, the doctors used leeches to bleed patients, and lots more. These myths led to a special perspective of the revolutionary and diverse ideas of the story.

Challenging Founding Myths: Diverse Historical Perspectives

The books “founding fathers’ by Zinn, Loewens, Brands, and Lepore were different from the stories we frequently learn in history courses in different ways. Brands argue that the interest of individuals in the Founding Fathers has declined and developed over time. Brands also state that the Americans support the event made by the Founding Fathers, and yet, they still blame them for other reasons. With the struggle of the Founding Fathers and also the effort they made in fighting for independence, Americans still argue about what they fought for. The results of what’s seen in America today aren’t depicted within the history of the Founding Fathers.

Loewen argues that the Founding failed to interact with slaves, Indians, and those that owned property and that they interacted with people of the category and traded together, yet, what we see today is different. The slaves were subject to the masters therein era, and with their suffering, they still paid high taxes. Today Americans have the guts to help and create peace, unlike the Founding Fathers, who were greedy and brutal.

From a Marxist point of view, Zinn approaches the beliefs of the Founding Fathers and their contribution to American development. He argues that history is grouped into different classes competing against one another. He believes that the Constitution was written to favor some classes, and yet, America could be a democratic country. The Americans hold a free and fair election because it is their democratic right. Zinn’s argument on the Founding Fathers doesn’t support American rights and freedom, therefore, Zinn’s arguments don’t seem to be what’s seen and practiced on American soil.

Independence, Security, and Socio-Economic Change

The American Revolutionary Era was about the event of the province and the restoration of peace and humanity among the American people. This resulted in an exceeding conquest by the Americans to fight colonialists to realize their independence. The need to bring led to the attainment of independence on 4th July 1776, and this marked a long-term history on American soil. Although the Founding Fathers, in line with Zinn’s argument, had the aim of benefiting themselves, they also helped in developing and defending the Americans from the brutal colonialist.

Zinn argues that the last word reason behind the war was the military conflict, and it dominated the complete American soil. The will for revolution and independence was the answer, and elites discovered that waging war against the colonialists was the answer since they believed that war made them safer. Americans wanted peace and time for development, and this led them not to join War 1 in 1917. Zinn argues that the Constitution had an economic interest in developing a robust long-term government.

The business owners wanted security to guard their property, and therefore the slave owners needed protection. Moneylenders needed to use folding money to pay their debts, therefore, the Revolutionaries developed a well-structured system to manage the American economy. The skillful Americans majored in research, and plenty of inventions were made. These inventions reduced manpower and resulted in the reduction of slavery.

Legacy of Revolution: Evolution of Power and Prosperity

I trust Zinn’s argument on the causes of war and also the Constitution to be since a stalemate was the answer. Americans wanted peace, security, and development. The elites drafted laws to be followed, and therefore the punishment of law offenders was also passed. Law court was established to pass judgment on the law offenders, an example of the judgments was death and made slavery. The elites also introduced taxes to regulate the economy and assist in development projects.

In conclusion, we’ve realized the American Revolution of Independence is a significant historical event that marked the start of the American nation as a superpower up-to-date. The myths we’ve studied are among the key important factors that helped the growth of the Yank economy. The Founding Fathers, in keeping with Zinn, Brand, Loewen, and Lepore, are the key figures in the contribution of American citizen’s history.

References:

1. Zinn, H. “A People’s History of the United States.” Publisher.
2. Loewen, J. W. “Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong.” Publisher.
3. Brands, H. W. “The Founding Fathers: The Essential Guide to the Men Who Made America.” Publisher.
4. Lepore, J. “These Truths: A History of the United States.” Publisher.

Unveiling the Declaration of Independence: From Debate to Ink

Declaration’s Emblematic Engraving & Congress’ Gathering

The most famous well-known document in the U.S. was the Declaration of Independence is engraved with the famous known words “In Congress, July 4, 1776” at the top of the document. At the bottom, they have one of the most famous historical presidents of the Continental Congress, John Hancock, and the other founding fathers. In May of 1775, the Second Continental Congress was held in the Assembly Hall in Philadelphia. Weeks after hostilities have been breaking out, the British and colonial militias Lexington and a few more. In August of 1775, the king declared that the colonies should be open.

Road to Independence: Lee’s Resolution & Historic Vote

George Washington was in command of the continental army, which was formed by the Second Continental Congress. By the middle of 1776, the opinion expressed by the crowd in numerous colonies appeared to have turned in favor of independence from Great Britain. Richard Henry Lee, the founding father of Virginia, proposed to Congress a resolution on independence on the date of July 7, 1776. The first three actions in the resolution are: “Resolved, that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.’

On June 11, Congress put aside one of Lee’s votes on his resolution. It was appointed to a five-member committee to draft a public statement that would explain the reasons for declaring the Declaration of Independence. John Adams and Benjamin Franklin were on that committee, along with Robert R. Livingston as well with Roger Sherman. The Fifth member was Thomas Jefferson, which Thomas has been chosen to be the document’s principal drafter.

After changes had been made by Adams and Franklin, the committee submitted their draft of the Declaration to Congress on June 28. Congress has debated that the nine colonies should prepare to vote in favor of Lee’s resolution on Monday, July 1. The South Carolina and Pennsylvania delegates were eager to prevent the vote for Lee’s resolution. The two Delaware delegates were deadlocked, and the New York delegates were not able to vote. The king, however, has permitted their instructions only to pursue reconciliation. Overnight that has changed.

On July 2nd, Caesar Rodney rode from Denver to Philadelphia. Announcing a tie-breaking vote for Delaware in favor of the Declaration of Independence. South Carolina shifted their position in its favor, and the Pennsylvania opponents chose to stand back. Then the vote was called on July 2nd, and Lee’s resolution passed the vote from 12 to zero. After the historical decision had been made, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigal Adams. Predicting that the future Americans would celebrate their independence every second of July.

On that same day the New York harbor, British troops were under Admiral William Howe at Staten Island. The British troops were preparing for an imminent battle along with Washington’s forces. Congress then began to debate the Declaration, making substantial editorial revisions but leaving Jefferson’s opening paragraphs.

Declaration’s Document Journey: Approval to Signatures

On July 4th is when they finally approved the final draft of the Declaration. In the evening, the printer John Dunlap prepared a huge broadside with a complete text of “a Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress assembled.” There are around 200 copies of the Dunlap Broadside that were published on July 5th. Today in 2022, there are 26 that are still known to the world. At the bottom of the Dunlap broadside printed on the bottom, it states, “Signed by Order and in Behalf of the Congress, John Hancock, President. Attest, Charles Thomson, Secretary.”

It was then read out loud right in front of the statehouse of Philadelphia on July 8th. Over the next few weeks, it was then in the newspaper. On July 9th, New York earlier returned their instructions to the delegates. Permitting them to join the other colonies from a formal break from Britain. A few days later, the news reached Philadelphia about the Declaration of Independence. On July 19th, Congress declared that the Declaration of Independence should be in larger printing.

This was Timothy Matlack’s job. On August 2, 1776, Congress signed their names on the Declaration of Independence inside the Pennsylvania State House. The first and the largest name on the Declaration was John Hancock, the president of Congress. The mood in the mood was not the best. All the people in the room thought they were undertaken.

Recalling August 2nd, Pennsylvania’s Benjamin Rush wrote of the “pensive and awful silence which pervaded the house when we were called up, one after another, to the table of the President of Congress” to sign “what was believed by many at that time to be our death warrants.” Not every man who was there at the signing of the Declaration of Independence was on it. Historians believe seven of the 56 signatures on the document were placed there later. Two delegates had passed their chances up for signing it, John Dickinson and Robert Livingston. The names of the signers were made public in January of 1777 when they were printed on another broadside edition of the Declaration published in Baltimore, Maryland.

References:

1. United States. (1776). Declaration of Independence. National Archives and Records Administration.
2. Maier, P. (1997). American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence. Vintage Books.
3. Middlekauff, R. (2005). The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789. Oxford University Press.
4. Ellis, J. J. (2002). Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation. Vintage Books.
5. Chernow, R. (2010). Washington: A Life. Penguin Books.
6. Ferling, J. (2010). A Leap in the Dark: The Struggle to Create the American Republic. Oxford University Press.
7. Becker, C. L. (1922). The Declaration of Independence: A Study on the History of Political Ideas. Harcourt, Brace, and Company.
8. Ellis, J. J. (2008). American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic. Vintage Books.
9. Gutzman, K. R. C. (2007). Virginia’s American Revolution: From Dominion to Republic, 1776-1840. University Press of Virginia.