U.S. Identity & Founding Ideals: What Defines America’s Core Principles

U.S. Identity & Founding Ideals

The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, lays out the principles upon which the government of the United States was founded. U.S. Identity & Founding Ideals and principles include the idea that all men are created equal and have the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as well as the belief that government derives its power from the consent of the governed (Aspen). By looking at what the Founding Fathers said about government in the Declaration of Independence, one can learn about the principles of good government that they thought should be followed. These ideas are used in the US Constitution and the Articles of Confederation.

Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is a crucial component of a well-functioning government because it asserts that governments should prioritize the interests of the people and grant them the rights and freedoms necessary for living and thriving. Also, the Declaration of Independence says that governments must be held accountable and that people have the right to change or get rid of them if they stop doing what they were set up to do (The Declaration of Independence and Natural Rights). This idea of accountability is important for modern governments because it makes sure that they are held responsible for what they do and that they can be replaced if the people want.

U.S. Identity & Founding Ideals: Constitutional Rights Foundation

Hence, the opinions of America’s founding fathers create a strong foundation for the country. The Founders of the United States were heavily influenced by Enlightenment thinkers, such as John Locke, who believed in the natural rights of individuals and the need for government to protect those rights (Khan Academy). The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (Constitutional Rights Foundation).

This idea of natural rights was central to the philosophy of the Enlightenment and was a major influence on the Founders as they developed the principles of the new American government. Enlightenment philosophers such as Montesquieu, and Voltaire also contributed to these ideas through their works on the separation of power and freedoms, which the Founders utilized to construct a system of government that would guarantee these rights and protect them from the abuse of power.

U.S. Identity & Founding Ideals: Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation, one of the first legal systems in the United States, is based on the ideas in the Declaration of Independence. The Articles of Confederation say that the United States should have a republican system of government, and that Congress should have representatives from each state (Library of Congress). This idea of representation is another important part of good government because it makes sure that all people’s interests are taken into account.

Also, the Articles of Confederation say that the federal government must have the power to tax, borrow money from other countries, and control both international and domestic trade (Library of Congress). This idea of taxation and rules is very important for modern governments because it lets them provide services to the people and keep social order. Governments should continue to be built on the consent of the people who live under them and be based on what’s best for the people.

Additionally, the Articles of Confederation also reflect the principles of a government based on the consent of the governed. For example, Article II states “Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled” (National Archives and Records Administration). It therefore means that any power not given to the federal government is retained by the individual states, again showing the importance placed on the consent of the governed.

U.S. Identity & Founding Ideals: concepts of human rights

The concepts of human rights and government deriving its power from the consent of the governed continue to be seen as fundamental principles of democracy and are reflected in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and are still valid today (Hananel et al.). However, throughout its history, the      United States has failed to fully maintain these U.S. Identity & Founding Ideals for all individuals, particularly for marginalized groups such as African Americans, Indigenous people, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other minorities.

The Constitution of the United States was made to make sure that the ideas in the Declaration of Independence were part of the foundation of the government of the United States. The Constitution says that everyone has the right to vote and a voice in Congress (Hannah-Jones 14). It keeps the idea of separation of powers and makes sure that the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the government stay separate. The idea is important to the way a government works because it keeps power from being concentrated in the hands of a single person or group. The Constitution also protects the rights of citizens, such as the right to free speech, the right to a trial by a jury, and the right to carry a gun. For people to be free and safe, they need to have these rights.

Complete realization of the values

People of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, and other disadvantaged groups have been treated unfairly in the past and still are today in areas like housing, education, employment, and criminal justice. This has been true throughout the history of the United States (History.com Editors). Despite these problems, social movements and changes in the law have helped US society and government work toward a more complete realization of the values in the Declaration of Independence. Many countries have tried to copy the way the United States runs its government by adopting federal systems, presidential and congressional systems, and bi-legislatures. Several democratic countries have also chosen legal systems that are based on the common law system in the United States.

Overall, the ideas of the Founding Fathers as written in the Declaration of Independence are still relevant today because they are based on the principles of freedom, democracy, and fairness. A successful, fair, and accountable government still has to be based on the idea that its power comes from the consent of the people it rules over and that it has to protect the rights of everyone. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights are more proof that the Founders believed in these values and wanted a prosperous country. Even though a lot of progress has been made toward these goals, more needs to be done to make sure that everyone has the same rights and freedoms and is treated with respect and dignity.

Works Cited

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“Democratic Ideals in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution (Article).” Khan Academy, Khan Academy,

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-government-and-civics/us-gov-foundations/ us-gov-ideals-of-democracy/a/democratic-ideals-in-the-declaration-of-independence-and- the-constitution.

Hananel Director, Sam, et al. “Securing a Democratic World.” Center for American Progress, 22 Aug. 2022, https://www.americanprogress.org/article/securing-democratic-world/.

Hannah-Jones, Nikole. “Our democracy’s founding ideals were false when they were written. Black Americans have fought to make them true.” New York Times Magazine 14 (2019). http://inclusivedbq.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/America-Wasnt-a-Democracy-1619-Project.pdf

History.com Editors. “Women’s Suffrage.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 29 Oct. 2009, https://www.history.com/topics/womens-history/the-fight-for-womens-suffrage.

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