Question

This history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpation, all having in direct object, the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these States. Evaluate this accusation made against George III in the Declaration of Independence.

Answer 1

The accusation against King George III in the Declaration of Independence represents American colonists' grievances, specifically the establishment of a tyranny, and justifies revolution by asserting the right to alter or abolish destructive governments. It outlines the colonists' preference for a republic over a monarchy, emphasizing the concept of government's legitimate power deriving from the consent of the governed.

Step-by-step explanation:

The accusation made against King George III in the Declaration of Independence is based on various grievances the American colonists had against the King's governance. These grievances included the imposition of taxes without representation, interference with trade, denial of the right to a trial by jury, and the deprivation of self-governance. The Declaration, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, proclaimed that the King's history was one of 'repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.'

The Declaration of Independence elucidated the principle that a government's legitimacy comes from the consent of the governed and when a government becomes destructive of the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, it is the right and duty of the people to alter or abolish it. This principle underscored the colonists' justification for revolution, emphasizing that it was not only their right but also their duty to establish a new government that would secure these rights. In this context, Jefferson listed a 'long train of abuses and usurpations' demonstrating a design to establish an absolute despotism.

The colonial response was a rejection of monarchy and absolute rule, instead advocating for a government that would be responsible to its citizens and protect their rights. This stance was in stark contrast to the hereditary and dynastic succession of monarchies that often led to conflicts and abuses of power perceived in the reign of George III, ultimately prompting the push for the creation of a republic as a preferable form of government. Such an evaluation reflects the revolutionary ideology that fueled the American quest for independence.

Answer 2

In the Declaration of Independence, the opponents state the fact that all the men are free and equal but Charles III and his government despise those rights. The letter accused him of not contribute the public petitions, not accepting laws and make fraudulent techniques to stay in power. By the end, they claim the independence of the colonies.