Viewing two very different sources that reveal the story upon the “Declaration of Independence” gives insight towards a diverse analysis of this historical movement. We recently watched both a documentary on the life of the "founding father", Thomas Jefferson along with the famous musical film known as “1776”. After analyzing both the documentary and the film, we draw many questions upon the similarities and differences of each source. Specifically the distinctions between the representation of the story behind the Declaration of Independence. To pull each important detail out of both sources, we can decompress both stories by discovering what is alike and unalike between the two.
Discussing the accuracy upon the film of “1776” is key as it presents a profound story which offers many important details that are to be included. This film is quite precise as it overviews the issues, hardships, and thoughts put into the process of the declaration. Compared to the documentary, this film seems to spotlight John Adams and his push for independence rather than Thomas Jefferson. Just as Aelarsen described, the movie points the actions of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson in convincing the Congress to devote their attention towards independence in order to birth the United States of America. As shown in the film, Adams worked hardly for an extensive amount of time trying to issue the fight for independence towards the Congress, and make it the center of their attention. In the words of Adams himself, “And still, this Congress refuses to grant any of my proposals on independence, even so much as the courtesy of open debate” ! ( 1776 Restored Director’s Cut ) After when Congress began discussing this issue, Adams worked with both Jefferson and Franklin to win in the vote for independence among all countries, he made it his priority. This was indefinitely shown within the film, it focused on Adams and his aspirations along with what he was willing to do to achieve his goal. As the film displays Adams character quite accurately, we see a difference within the other characters of the film. There are differences in the mood and attitude of the actors in relation to how they were historically described. Take Benjamin Franklin for example, he was always believed to be wise and quiet but in “1776”, he was quite the opposite considering the jokes he made throughout the film. These are the small key facts people seem to forget due to the entertainment the film provides.
As this film is identified as an adaptation of this historical subject, it tends to portray the matter differently compared to the documentary. The characters within the film reveal emotion and important means of the matters they’re facing through the use of songs rather than stated facts. According to Christine Frezza, the first song presented within the film known as “Sit Down John”, reveals both Congress and Adams in opposing stands ( Utah Shakespeare Festival ). This song particularly states both the diverse beliefs of Congress and Adams and the song allows the character to depend on the use of words rather than making the effort for physical conflict. Although the film approaches this historical subject through songs, there are still key facts presented within the words and characters exhibiting their beliefs through harmony.
When we think about the day of which the Declaration of Independence was signed, the Fourth of July, we recognize the key ideas, events, and facts that contribute to this day. As expressed within both the documentary and the film, the Fourth of July was the day in which the Congress accepted the final call upon the declaration. The signing of the Declaration of Independence was considered the birth of the United States of America becoming a self-governing nation. As mentioned in the declaration itself, “…by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States”. ( The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration ) The Declaration of Independence represents colonists breaking away from Britain, along with the natural freedom of the colonists themselves. One significant fact upon the arrival in signing the declaration included the various changes made to Jefferson’s writing. Delegates part of the Congress, made a total of 86 changes to the declaration, but Jefferson wasn’t quite happy about the editing process of his work. In the words of Joanne Freeman, “ Jefferson was really unhappy of the editing process. According to Benjamin Franklin, he was in the corner looking miserable”. (History Channel, Jefferson ) Among these changes, Jefferson was set upon his choice of words and became quite attached to his work.
There were a variety of events that contributed to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, many including the acts that were passed by the British in which posed problems towards colonists. The main problem of one of the acts, the Stamp Act, was that colonists were required payment for a stamped marking on all official documents to raise revenue to keep British troops in NA. The Quartering Act of 1765, also passed by Parliament in the same period, required colonial governments to shelter and feed British troops stationed in the colonies. As the colonists had no representation in the British Parliament, taxing them without representation was unfair. Later as more acts were made, resolutions were posed. One being the The Declaration of Rights of Stamp Act in which was created to declare that the taxes imposed on the colonists were unconstitutional. Aside from these acts, one other event that influenced this day included Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” which was a pamphlet favoring American independence and was created to advocate the fight for independence itself. Paine states, “Monarchy and hereditary succession have laid the world in blood and ashes”. ( America’s History, Bedford, St.Martin’s ) This quote stated by Paine was pitted towards George III. This was due to the different opinions of King George and those who accused him of supporting cruel legislation along with calling armed reprisal. This was also an important event of which the Declaration of Independence was realmed around.
Both the video presentations do indeed share these key ideas and facts that contribute to what we call, the Fourth of July. But, the events that played an important role towards the declaration was mentioned in only one source, the film of 1776. As Adams was angrily stating why Congress would not support or push for independence, he included reasons behind the need for freedom itself. He included both the actions King George had directed towards the people along with the several acts that intervened with the colonists. It provided the development and steps towards creating the declaration along with the paper proving independence shall be earned. In contrast, the documentary described the hardships Jefferson faced among the writing process of the declaration, not much so towards the events that led to the achievement of independence. Aside from the events that were not expressed within one of the videos, there was one key fact discussed in both the documentary and the film. This was in regards to the changes made towards Jefferson’s words in the declaration. While the documentary expressed Jefferson’s feelings towards the changes that took place, the film, in hand, physically portrayed the emotion upon the act. Just as described in the documentary, Jefferson was very concerned among the demands of the delegates shifting his writing, but as stated in the first source, he stayed quiet of his opinion and feelings as shown in the film. This better supplies an easier analysis of the story upon the Declaration of Independence. This is due to having access to both a factual video and adaptation of the event making it more simple for an audience to relate facts within the documentary towards actions shown within the film.
Discussing the main similarities and differences between these two videos allows one to greatly grasp the prime takeaway and purpose of the Declaration of Independence. This message responds to the importance of the declaration which is a quote famously stated within the paper itself, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed”. ( Thomas Jefferson ) The issues and hardships faced towards this event became a key contribution to the declaration. But, most people tend to disregard the equality the paper assured between men in which was one of the main goals that was to be achieved. In conclusion, The Declaration of Independence provided more than freedom towards the colonists, it grasped power within an individual nation and worked to strive for equality.