Analyze the preamble to the Declaration of Independence to find what appeals Jefferson used in forming his argument. Did he use one, two, or a combination of all three? How does his diction affect the reader? What argument is he making? How does he justify his position? Etc., etc., etc.,
"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. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world."
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Jefferson, one of the most well versed writers in American history, showed his knowledge of rhetorical strategies and contemporary social atmospheres when drafting the document that first declared American's independence from British rule. Jefferson starts the document through an ad populum, "we". By using "we", he attempted to portray the rebelling Americans as united to add strength to the following arguement. This type of structure fit in nicely with the colonial aphorism, "Divided we fall". Then, he attempts to establish common ground with the crown by using the word "Creator". As religion was the ultimate ground in colonial times, if the British crown did not respect his assertion of certain God-given rights, they would be seen as contradicting God. In context, such an action could be considered similar, if not equivalant to blasphemy. Furthermore, there is a clear allusion to John Locke's Second Treatise when he states "Life, liberty...". This connects him to Enlightenment thinkers known for thier rational thought and logical processes. Thus, he attempts to portray his philosophies as sound instead of rebellious as many in England felt. Next, he uses logos to set up his utopian form of government. Through each step, he refers back to his original principle of deriving power from the people and how to do it. This offers a clear format which again alludes to the fact that he is a man of logic. Up to this point, he has already questioned the ethical components (in terms of religion) of the crown and established himself as the superior intellectually. His use of capitalized diction adds strength to key words that associate his arguement with one of great morality and idealistic principles. For example, the words "Rights" and "Form of Government" create an association of Jefferson's proposed government with one of righteousness. He uses these associations throughout the Declaration of Independence. He continues this use of ethos by flatly stating that his government is the only one that can "secure" theabove listed rights due its high moral round. After establishing his alternative form of government, he moves to explain why the current form of government is inefficient and unjust. He starts out by using diction with negative connotation. For example, "despotism" conjures associations of a military regime that uses brute force to achieve its ways. This could be considered historically accurate because of the British quartering soldiers in Boston. Beyond such strong diction, he uses pathos to establish sympathy for the newly formed union. This, to answer the question, establishes the use of all three of Aristotle's appeals. The words "sufferance" and "repeating injuries" personiify the colonies as a human being. The human being is described as an entity that has gone through great turmoil because of the actions of the British crown. This surely struck an emotional chord with those who read the document because as established earlier, the British crown was equated to harsh, brutal regime. Thus, Jefferson does an excellent job in justifying why the United States is breaking away from its motherland. He first establishes the violation of the country's God-given rights which Britain had no power to take away. Next, he offers a solution to such problems and then offers reasons as to why such a reason is necessary. Finally, Jefferson hopes that his appeals, both ethically and emotionally, will help to sway a "candid world." The term "candid" is a compliment to appease and build rapport with all citizens of the world who stand with such democratic beliefs.
There are several rhetorical strategies and appeals made, but of the three major appeals, Jefferson most utilizes ethos. He uses ethos when citing the inalienable rights of man, the association of these with a creator, and uses ethos as more of a method by which to prove a point than an appeal. When he explains that "governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes" he uses ethos through association with an old tradition to contrast the breaking of that tradition to prove a point that these are dire and severe circumstances. Ethos is also used as an appeal to a lesser extent when he brings up the safety and happiness of people, an appeal to a basic and emotional desire in people. This is also another Jefferson appeals to the people throughout the entire case, as he consistently associates himself, his cause, and the people's need with the goal. The uses of "among men", "consent of the governed", and "right of people" are all references to the common people of America and relates the cause to their struggle. This is used to draw the conclusion that the main goal and result of the cause is their own prosperity.
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