Exclusion in the Declaration of Independence: A Comprehensive Historical Perspective
The Declaration of Independence, a historic document signed in 1776, was a cornerstone of the United States of America's formation, yet it unfortunately excluded significant groups of people at the time. This article explores who was excluded from the Declaration of Independence and the historical context surrounding these omissions.
1. Indigenous People
The origins of the exclusion of Indigenous people from the Declaration of Independence are rooted in historical events and treaties. The Proclamation of 1763, issued by King George III, promised to protect Indigenous land from further British expansion. However, the Declaration of Independence effectively negated this protection, opening the door for white settlers to encroach on Indigenous territories without restraint. Thus, the dream of Indigenous sovereignty and land rights was shattered by the very document that aimed to establish independence.
2. African-Origin Slaves
A major group excluded from the Declaration of Independence were African-origin slaves. Slaves were merely regarded as property, 'chattels' belonging to their masters. Jefferson, the author of the Declaration, himself owned slaves, a contradiction that has been thoroughly scrutinized in historical discourse. The term 'all men,' which is famously used in the Declaration, realistically referred to white male landowners, not the enslaved African-descended individuals who labored under the most brutal of conditions.
3. Women
The exclusion of women from the Declaration of Independence is significant. Women at the time were seen as inferior to men, and their rights were non-existent. The revolutionary leaders, primarily white men, did not consider including women in the rights and privileges declared in the document. This left women with no political rights and few social freedoms, continuing a pattern that would persist for many years.
4. Loyalists and the Confederacy
The declaration also had little impact on those who remained loyal to the British crown. These Loyalists faced ostracism and often had to flee to Canada or Britain, where they found refuge and documents like the Declaration of Independence offered them no comfort or recourse.
5. Confederate View
The views of Confederate leaders on the declaration demonstrate the deep-seated exclusion that existed even decades after the independence was declared. During the Civil War, Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens delivered a speech known as the 'Cornerstone' speech. In it, he explicitly rejected the Declaration of Independence, stating that 'all men are created equal' was a faulty foundation upon which to construct a nation. The Confederacy, he argued, was based on the superiority of the white race, a stark contrast and rejection of the principles of the Declaration.
Conclusion
The Declaration of Independence was a pivotal document in American history, yet it failed to include significant segments of the American populace at the time. The exclusion of Indigenous people, African-origin slaves, women, Loyalists, and even parts of the white population indicates that the nascent United States was far from the inclusive society it later aspired to be. Understanding these exclusions is crucial in comprehending the full historical context of the declaration and the ongoing struggle for equality and justice in the United States.