NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
Liberty and freedom in America It is a common knowledge that the idea of freedom was a main motivational factor behind many events in American history. Yet, it would be wrong to suggest that the American people were able to enjoy social and individual freedom only because of democratic form of their government. The essence of American civil liberties can only be properly assessed through assumption that they are product of Western civilization as a whole. We must understand that the social freedom can never be established in any country by the act of government if its people simply do not have biological predisposition towards it. Let us analyze how idea of liberty affected the life of Puritans, the events of Revolutionary War and the adoption of new American constitution in 1787. Year 1629 marks the time when the first permanent settlement of Puritans was established in New England, Massachusetts Bay Colony.
By year 1700 there were 13 colonies and the members of other persecuted religious groups in Europe began to consider immigrating to America, where they could practice their beliefs freely. Quakers had arrived to Pennsylvania in 1651. In the matter of few years they were followed by Lutherans, Roman-Catholics and Baptists. We can say that it was the religious freedom in colonial America that made possible the strengthening of democratic traditions in this country. While many countries in Europe were still engaged in bloody bacchanalia of religious wars, the religious fanatics in America managed to coexist peacefully. In my opinion, the explanation of how religious tolerance was established between people, whose very faith denounced other religions as fake ones, has a geographical nature.
The New World was simply too vast and proved as such that could accommodate all kinds of people. It is a rule that idea of liberty will always win in confrontation with any intolerant doctrine, such as Christianity. The gradual transformation of American religious fanatics into the people for whom religion is simply another comforting thing in life was only the matter of time. By year 1787 there were very few religious communities left in America that practiced separate existence from the rest of the world. Further up in American history we see the idea of liberty being elevated to the status of political doctrine, which people were willing to defend with their lives.
I refer to the events of the Revolutionary War 1775 - 1783. It is very ironic that one of the most important expressions of patriotism by Americans was inspired by the simple tax dispute. On July 4, 1776, Continental Congress issued a Declaration of Independence, primarily written by Thomas Jefferson. The Declaration described the new country as the union of "free and independent slates" and officially named them the United Stales of America. The document says that all people are created equal, that all have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. With help from France, England's old enemy, and from other Europeans, the American armies, led by George Washington, a surveyor and gentleman farmer from Virginia won the War of Independence.
The peace treaty was signed in 1783. The war was also a very important for strengthening the liberty in U. S. as it baptized it with fire. It also taught people that the civil freedoms are not something that is given but rather taken. They realized that their personal freedom must be guarded at all times from those who might try to undermine it; whether it is foreign power or Americas own government.
It was immediately after the end of Revolutionary War that the fundamental principles of modern American society were being established. The time between the end of the war and adoption of the new Constitution was the most glorious period in American history, up to this date. That was when the idea of liberty in this country had adopted the properties of practical application. There is no single record of government trying to undermine its citizens civil freedoms can be found within this time.
In 1792, the famous principles of liberty, fraternity and equality were being proclaimed by the French revolution. Yet, unlike in United States, these principles remained simply abstract categories. In other words, we can say that the liberty and freedom in America were being established prior to the time they were being officially announced as social policies. Nevertheless, it was not before the adoption of the new American Constitution in 1787 that the continuance of democratic tradition in this country was assured by the government. Constitutions preamble lists securing the freedom as one of its most important purposes. It is not a secret that many other foreign governments have tried to introduce the notion of liberty to their citizens by adopting slightly altered versions of U.
S. Constitution, yet they were enable to accomplish it, since the idea of freedom and democracy is utterly alien to them on genetic level. The most important rights that are guaranteed by Constitution of U. S. are the right to the freedom of speech and the right to bear firearms.
Nowadays hawks of political correctness try to convince American citizens that they should simply give up the second right, as government is fully capable of protecting their freedom. This, of course, must be rejected out of hand. Americans used to shed their blood for protecting freedom not just in U. S. but also abroad.
Yet, when people are willing to exchange freedoms for security and comfort, it is nothing but the beginning of their demise. The history of Roman Empire has proven it long ago. To summarize this paper we need to point out to three most important aspects of evolution of liberty in his country: 1) The idea of freedom was natural to the early settlers; this is why it was being incorporated into American Constitution with such ease 2) The baptismal by fire was necessary for the idea of freedom to remain vigorous in America 3) The ever increased standards of living, enjoyed by U. S. citizens, will inevitably result in concept of freedom and liberty becoming more and more susceptible to corruption, which we observe in present times. Bibliography: Heyrman, Christine Religion, Women, and the Family in Early America. 2000.
National Humanities Center. October 16, 2005. web Heyrman, Christine Puritanism and Predestination. 2000. National Humanities Center. October 16, 2005. web Olmstead, Clifton History of Religion in the United States.
Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1960. McGranahan, Ronald Battles of American Revolution. 2004. The American Revolution Home Page. October 16, 2005.
web Mills, Scott Freedom of Speech. 2003. Freedom Forever. October 16, 2005. web United States Constitution. 2005. Wikipedia.
October 16, 2005 web
Free research essays on topics related to: religious fanatics, idea of freedom, freedom of speech, liberty and freedom, civil freedoms
Research essay sample on Liberty And Freedom In America
