The Declaration of Independence and the American Economy for Americans
Rhetoric in support of the Declaration of Independence has endured through time, remaining as inspiring now as it was back in July 1776.
“When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for some peoples to dissolve the political bonds which bound them to others, and to assume among the powers of the earth the independent and equal position to which they are endowed by the laws of nature and the God of nature, a proper respect for the opinion of mankind requires a declaration of the causes which impelled them to separation.”
“We hold these truths to be self-evident. All human beings are created equal, and they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
The power of the argument for American independence lies in the Declaration’s deep principles about humanity and governance. The clarity with which Thomas Jefferson articulated these ideas has made the Declaration one of history’s most significant political documents. Walt Whitman famously noted, “Essentially America itself is the greatest poem,” beginning with that very declaration.
27 Complaints That Justified Our Revolution
Jefferson and early American revolutionaries not only established broad philosophical ideals in the Declaration but also specified grievances against the British government that justified their actions. The list of complaints detailing injury and usurpation is often overlooked yet crucial for understanding America’s essence.
Among the 27 specific grievances, four stand out as largely economic. The Founding Fathers pointed out that Britain had made the colonies “economically dependent” by controlling immigration, settlement, trade, and taxation. They claimed that British officials profited from American labor while stifling local businesses.
“He has sought to prevent the populations of these states from interfering with the naturalization laws of aliens.”
“He is creating a number of new offices and sending swarms of officials to harass the people…to gut them.”
“To cut off trade with all parts of the world.”
“For imposing taxes on us without our consent.”
These economic grievances animated the founders, reflecting issues like tax control, immigration policy, and limiting government size—topics still relevant today. The Fourth of July Declaration serves not just as a political statement of independence but also as a proclamation of economic autonomy.
What these complaints illustrate is that American colonists realized they could no longer rely on distant powers to create rational economic policies that fostered growth; they needed to take charge. They had to stop being colonized and assert their identity as Americans. This move was a declaration of both economic and political sovereignty, signaling that America’s interests should come first in governance and economy.
Just as Britain resisted this declaration of sovereignty in 1776, the modern United States encounters similar challenges: international resistance to our independence. Many around the world, and even some in our own country, view our patriotic independence as unjust or outmoded, calling for a form of recolonization that makes the U.S. economically dependent on foreign production and compliant with a global “rules-based” order that undermines our control over borders. While there may not be red coats involved today, the request to submit our interests remains unchanged.
The 14th grievance among the 27 underscores this point, expressing how Britain “has a large armed group quartered among us.” For the founding generation, this “quartering” indicated a dangerous mingling of civilians and soldiers, violating property rights and highlighting a lack of sovereignty. It was thoughtfully placed at the center of the complaints because the founders believed that to overcome colonial dependency, they needed to liberate themselves from foreign domination.
Rebels and Castaways Declare Independence
There’s a deeper, more profound aspect to consider when reflecting on the latter part of the Declaration. The list of “injuries and usurpations” serves as evidence of the benefits inherent in the American economy. It asserts that governance and economic structures should prioritize the lives and property of Americans, as explained in the Declaration—everyone is equal, not meant to serve a superior class.
Herman Melville hinted at this in Moby Dick when the narrator reflects on the noble quality found in “the meanest sailors, rebels, and castaways.” He noted that this “noble majesty” doesn’t belong to kings but to the laborers wielding pickaxes and driving spikes, emphasizing a kind of democratic dignity that resonates from each individual.
This theme is one that hasn’t faded for Americans throughout history. “I wonder why we can’t do that across the board. Get rid of the cops who aren’t our people. We’ll all work together for our own ends,” says Tom Joad in Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath.
On Independence Day, we’re reminded that the quest to eliminate those who are “not our people” is a perpetual one. Each generation must start anew.
The Declaration of Independence transcends a simple rebellion against monarchy; it represents an economic revolt against imperial dependence. Colonists felt strongly about gaining control over critical aspects of prosperity—immigration, land development, taxation, and more. They believed that a nation of rebels and castaways deserved an equal status among nations. In today’s terms, this economic aspect of the Declaration embodies the idea of America First—the right of Americans to govern their economy for their own benefit.
