Commentary
Although the 1776 Declaration of Independence never became legally binding like the 1789 Constitution and Bill of Rights, its significance was profound. President Abraham Lincoln referred to the document as “a rebuke and a stumbling-block to tyranny and oppression,” with its principles inspiring freedom-loving individuals worldwide.
Early Unity
The original United States of America was a largely homogenous nation, with a majority of the population tracing their roots back to British descendants. The shared history, geography, customs, religion, and language united early Americans in their quest for independence from an overbearing empire that restricted commerce, hindered territorial expansion, and imposed unjust taxes without representation.
Seeking the same rights as Englishmen during the 17th-century “Glorious Revolution,” Americans advocated for national sovereignty, representative democracy, freedom of speech and assembly, religious liberty, due process of law, impartial justice, private property, and free enterprise.
Following the revolution, American patriots remained united, while British Empire Loyalists migrated north to establish the Dominion of Canada. New waves of immigrants assimilated into the American melting pot.
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Slavery emerged as the primary issue threatening American unity in the first 150 years. The election of anti-slavery President Abraham Lincoln in 1860 led to the secession of seven states and the outbreak of the Civil War.
The abolition of slavery and the preservation of the union marked the aftermath of the war, with Americans gradually recognizing the conflict as a necessary struggle to uphold the ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.
A Century of Discord and Betrayal
Unfortunately, slavery was not the final challenge to American unity.
In the early 20th century, global events, including World War I and the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, created deep divisions in America. The aftermath of these events, along with the rise of the Soviet Comintern and the Communist Party USA, sparked an era of worldwide discord and ideological division.
The Marxist ideology promoted by the Bolshevik Revolution eroded American unity as intellectuals and elites embraced a vision of social transformation, rejecting traditional values and advocating for a new world order.
The ensuing ideological civil war, fueled by academia, union organizers, journalists, entertainers, church leaders, and political activists, led to a period of political violence and societal upheaval.
Another Chance for the USA
Present-day America is vastly different from the nation that declared independence in 1776.
While the USA has evolved into a multiethnic, multiracial society, a significant portion still identifies with a religious faith. The demographic shift and changing cultural landscape highlight a desire among a majority of Americans to realign with the principles established by the founding fathers of the 18th century.
Reflecting on historical milestones from George Washington’s establishment of the union to Abraham Lincoln’s preservation efforts and the challenges posed by Marxist influences, Americans are poised for a renewed commitment to the ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence.
The era of leftist dominance in America has come to an end. As celebrations heralded a new chapter on Jan. 20, 2025, the world witnessed the dawn of a potential second American Revolution.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
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