Essay+2,

On July 4, 1776 The Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson was drafted into congress. This document created the impression that all individuals had equal rights and were to be treated equally but it was proven false by the way African Americans were being treated. Although the Declaration of Independence did not succeed immediately after being published, it led to the Civil Rights Movement-which aimed to provide all individuals with equal rights regardless of the color of their skin. This movement allowed African Americans to have better education, employment, and housing opportunities, as well as many others.
 * __Civil Rights and The Declaration of Independence __**

Thomas Jefferson made a huge effort to create a discrimination free environment for individuals, but The Declaration of Independence did not achieve that purpose as he had hoped it would. In The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.” There is no other way an individual can take this quote, and its strong enough for the point to be clear. All men are equal and this means there should not be any discrimination against a certain race. In addition to this Jefferson wrote as a “That they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, meant that everyone has the same rights and equality.” This is yet another powerful statement. He emphasizes on the previous statement, and elaborates on it saying that because all men are equal, they share the same rights. Jefferson extends this even further when he states “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” This shows how Jefferson was trying so hard to get his point across, to create an environment in which everyone was treated the same regardless of their race. Jefferson starts off the Declaration with these statements because it clearly was the focal point of the document.

In 1852, Frederick Douglass, an anti-slave movement activist, gave a speech at the Rochester's Corinthian Hall, in which he clearly shows how the Declaration of Independence did not hold true in the eyes of African Americans. Douglass states, "This Fourth of July is //yours//, not //mine. You// may rejoice, I must mourn.” This strong quote shows that Frederick Douglass clearly thought that the Declaration of Independence was biased, and did not help the African Americans, although it claims, “All men are created equally”. Douglass continues to explain the injustice being done to “his people” by exclaiming “Fellow citizens, above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions! Whose chains, heavy and grievous yesterday, are, today, rendered more intolerable by the jubilee shouts that reach them.” This statement shows how the manner in which African Americans were treated did not seem to improve after the Declaration of Independence, in fact, although Douglass’ speech took place nearly a decade after the document was published, African Americans were still being discriminated against, and being treated as objects instead of people. His bitter view of the Declaration Of Independence is emphasized further when he states “I shall see this day and its popular characteristics from the slave's point of view. Standing there identified with the American bondman, making his wrongs mine. I do not hesitate to declare with all my soul that the character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker to me than on this Fourth of July!” Through this quote we can see that from Douglass’ point of view, the situation has seemed to get worse for African Americans.

The Civil Rights Acts of 1866, was a law that was passed by President Andrew Johnson, under the 14th Amendment to guarantee that all freed slaves would have equal rights as the white men. In this amendment it is said that “No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” This serves as an extension to what Thomas Jefferson had included in the Declaration of Independence. It shows that all citizens, regardless of their color would have equal rights and privileges in the country. Also a part of this law clarifies African American rights by stating “This amendment also tried to protect the civil rights of African Americans by imposing a penalty--the loss of congressional seats and electoral votes--on states that deprived black men of their voting rights.” This shows how African Americans would be guaranteed voting rights, and penalty would help to make this law more stable. In the Declaration of Independence, people did not have anything to lose if they did not abide in the document, but in the 14th Amendment, people would be held accountable for breaking the law, and in order to prevent this more people would abide in it To further emphasize that African Americans were guaranteed their rights, the statement “neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void” was presented. This quote shows that there is no way around this matter. African Americans were to gain their rights that that was what was going to happen regardless of what people believed.

Although the Declaration of Independence did not directly do affect the African Americans, it helped activists such as Frederick Douglass to branch off of it. This document allowed people to hope more, and motivated them more to fight for their freedom. Activists such as Fredrick Douglass, disagreed that the Declaration of Independence was written to help African Americans because nearly after a decade since it was written, African Americans were still facing hardship and discrimination. Douglass emphasized on this matter throughout his 4th of July Speech. About 14 years after Douglass’ speech, the Civil Rights Act was passed under the 14th amendment of the Constitution, and this ensured the rights of African Americans. Civil Rights was a key topic of discussion during the time the Declaration of Independence was written to the Civil Rights Act, and even today and the progression over time is evident though the rights African Americans have gained throughout the years.