Women, Liberty And The Pursuit Of Happiness Essay

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.† Despite our founding stating that all men are created equal, the course of history has proven otherwise. Throughout the 19th and 20th century, reforms were made, but the lack of equality still remained unresolved. Today the conquest for racial equality and reform still remains a prevalent issue in the United States. Authors like Alexis De Tocqueville, W.E.B DuBois, and Frederick Harris albeit from different time periods believed democratic reforms failed to eliminate the ‘tyranny of the white majority’ and the United States has continued to provide evidence to confirm that belief. For most of the 19th century slavery was established a backbone that kept the southern farming economy stable. Democracy in America documents De Tocqueville’s time in Americ a when there was massive charge by parts of the United States to abolish slavery. Though the reform had brought hope and possibly a new chance at equality for all, De Tocqueville had a very pessimistic view on the possible reform. De Tocqueville pessimistic views stemmed from an almost toxic relationship held between the relationship between white and black men. De Tocqueville believes even if slavery were to be abolished that the relationship between whites and blacks would still remain strained as white men wouldShow MoreRelatedHistory1408 Words   |  6 Pagespromises that defy this great nation that we have the rights of â€Å"Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness† (Jefferson 36). On July 19th 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton a woman’s rights activist parodied Jefferson’s â€Å"Declaration of Independence† to make the point that women were not being treated as â€Å"equal† members of society or that were given our free rights that were promis ed in the â€Å"Declaration† (Stanton 42-46). As deprived as women were from being accepted as members of our society, African AmericanRead MoreThe Pursuit Of Happiness In Thomas Jefferson And The Declaration Of Independence837 Words   |  4 Pageswork he expressed mistreatment and oppression the colonies have endured under King George III. Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence that the citizens on the American continent were to exercise their rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Jefferson’s revolutionary has vision been achieved in the United States in the present day. However, it is to an extent. The United States has come a long way from Jeffersons time and has vastly improved its system for the greaterRead MoreThe Declaration Of Independence : The Rights Of Life, Liberty, And The Pursuit Of Happiness854 Words   |  4 PagesRights that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.† Many groups of America ns such as African Americans, Native Americans, and women have been denied the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – which is why the phrase â€Å"all men are created equal† is a phrase that has been used loosely, as it was often contradicted throughout history. Liberty is the power to freely do and chose what one wants to do. As mentioned before women, Native Americans and African AmericansRead MoreThe Ideals of the Declaration of Independence862 Words   |  4 Pagesimportant because without life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, the other three key ideals are not meaningful to the future of this young nation. Equality of men and women is extremely important even in American society in recent times. It is the reason that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his life to make sure that African-Americans would have the very same rights as any other American citizen. â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal† (DeclarationRead MoreUnited States Political Culture754 Words   |  4 Pageswhere â€Å"Big Brother† is watching you at all times. The political culture of the Untied States, thankfully, is a much more democratic and freeing environment. â€Å"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness...† is what we live by, not â€Å"Freedom is slavery.† The political culture of the United States is made up of two main concepts: liberty and equality. These will be discussed in this paper. United States; a country founded by people pursuing religious freedom from the monarchist world of Europe, howeverRead MoreCritical Analysis Of The Declaration Of Independence960 Words   |  4 Pagesstating that men are created equal and that all men have basic human rights given to them by God. The purpose of a government, according to the Founding Fathers, was to protect the basic human rights which Jefferson listed as â€Å"life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.† However, the deplorable institution of slavery prospered after America gained its independence. African Americans were denied natural rights and were not treated equally. Essentially, the Declaration of Independence expresses wonderfulRead MoreThe Declaration Of Independence : The United States1552 Words   |  7 Pages The Document that Lead to Freedom America is known by people all over the world as a country that firmly believes that everyone has the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This however was not always the case for the United States. It was once ruled by King George III, and the American people were under the control of the British Parliament. It is what the founding fathers of our country fought for, that made it possible for the United States to be what our country is today.Read MoreEssay On How Have We Fail1123 Words   |  5 PagesHow Have We Failed America has been failing to live up to the expectations of its founding fathers since the very beginning. Our founding fathers had envisioned a country that would ensure equality, justice, and liberty for all while carrying out general welfare and ensuring domestic tranquility. It should have been our first and foremost duty to make that vision a reality since these values are the very foundation of America. But throughout history, America has suffered from racism, injustice, exploitationRead MoreI Do Not Dislike My Mother Essay888 Words   |  4 Pagesfairly simple. I believe in freedom and the right of each of us to choose our own path. How can I, a polygamous, bisexual women, possibly seek to live my days as I please, and, then, criticize another person for doing things the way they believe is right, however different? I do not have to agree with the choices they make. Nevertheless, if we, as individuals, believe in liberty and freedom, why do a significant amount of people find it so difficult to accept a life different from their own? MarriageRead MoreRelationships And Culture Of Early 19th Century America And Their Ramifications1526 Words   |  7 PagesCulture of Early 19th-Century America and their Ramifications Back in the early 1800s, the United States of America had been a country associated with the promise of liberty, autonomy from tyrannical rule, and the unalienable rights specified in the formative Declaration of Independence - life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As a consequence of the formation of the country and its promises, several diverse groups had flocked to the new world to enjoy new lives of prosperity, success, and