What if the United States Declaration of Independence had never been written? Would Americans be living in America? How would society be? Without the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and the Halifax Resolves, there would not be the United States Declaration of Independence .
On May 20, 1775, the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence was composed to declare North Carolina’s independence from Britain(Faulkner). One reason North Carolina wanted to declare its independence was that British people were killing other British people(J. Williams). Some people believe without the Mecklenburg Declaration there would not be a United States Declaration of Independence. Historians, such as Thomas Jefferson, claimed the Mecklenburg Declaration was a fraud and actually did not exist(Andrews). The Mecklenburg County citizens slang name for their declaration was known as the “Meck Dec.”
The citizens of North Carolina have enough of Britain putting taxes on the things they needed. The citizens heard about the Battle of Lexington and the Battle of Concord. They were tired of Britain treating them unfairly and they figured they would be better off on their own. Preceding this thought, they wrote the declaration and read it aloud to the county. Afterwards, James Jack rode many miles to Philadelphia to bring the document to Congress. The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence was forgotten and was not spoken of often.
The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence did not have a huge effect on North Carolina. It was forgotten, therefore people were not curious about it. Over the years more historians have began to get more interested in this document. They are asking themselves questions such as: “Did this document actually exist?”, “Did Thomas Jefferson copy it?”, and many other questions. North Carolinians are mostly the only people that know about it. Many citizens of North Carolina travel to Charlotte, North Carolina where the declaration was signed.
Although the United States Declaration of Independence had similarities to the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, it had its differences as well. Among one of these differences is the “Meck Dec,” was about one certain state which was only a few people, and the United States Declaration was for all of the people in the United States. A second difference is that the United States Declaration was written by one person, and the Mecklenburg Declaration was written by more than one person.
Another important document is the Halifax Resolves. The whole point of the Halifax Resolves was similar to the one of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. Seceding from Great Britain and becoming independent was the purpose of both documents (Siniard). Selected delegates from different counties met in Halifax County to discuss and write a resolution to become independent from Britain (D. Williams).
This resolution also paved the way to the Declaration of Independence (Siniard). The Fourth Provincial Congress of the Province of North Carolina wrote this document (Slappey). Delegates brought it up to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the Continental Congress. After the Halifax Resolves, came a similar resolution from Virginia (D. Williams). They both were demanding their independence. Eighty-three delegates from different colonies met to discuss the matter of independence, this meeting encouraged the other colonies to want to be independent as well. Straightforwardly, North Carolina was first of all of the states to vote for its independence (Siniard).
The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and the Halifax Resolves, made a difference. Not long after the Halifax Resolves were examined, the United States Declaration of Independence was written. On July 4, 1776, the United States declared itself a free, independent country. Three delegates from North Carolina signed the Declaration: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, and John Penn(Siniard).
The Declaration of Independence consisted of twenty-seven complaints to King George III of Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams adapted this declaration from other documents such as the Halifax Resolves and the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence (Oak Hill). Thinking it was too soon to sign the document seceding from Britain, one of the writers, Robert Livingston, did not sign it (Oak Hill).
Without the Mecklenburg Declaration and the Halifax Resolves, the United States might not have become an independent country. North Carolina is full of intelligent people. The North Carolina state flag has two dates on it. The upper date, May 20, 1776, is there in honor of when the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence was adapted. The lower date, April 12, 1776, is the date the Halifax Resolves was accepted.
The United States Declaration of Independence never would have been written if it were not for the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and the Halifax Resolves. The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence was written by North Carolinians and the Halifax Resolves were written by North Carolinians. North Carolina was home to the beginnings of the Declaration of Independence.
Works Cited
- Andrews, Evan. “Did North Carolina Issue the First Declaration of Independence?” History.com. A&E Television Networks, 20 May 2015. Web. 07 Mar. 2017.
- Faulkner, Ronnie W. “Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.” Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence | NCpedia. NCpedia, 1 Jan. 2006. Web. 07 Mar. 2017
- Oak Hill. “Fascinating Facts about the Declaration of Independence.” Declaration of Independence Facts, Full Text & Dates To Remember | Constitution Facts. Oak Hill Publishing Company, n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2017.
- Siniard, Diane. “The Halifax Resolves.” The Halifax Resolves. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2017.
- Staff. “The Declaration of Independence: What Does It Say?” National Archives and Records Administration. National Archives and Records Administration, 13 Oct. 2016. Web. 23 Mar. 2017.
- Williams, Deloris. “The Halifax Resolves.” The Halifax Resolves. N.p., 30 Sept. 2015. Web. 23 Mar. 2017.
- Williams, James H. “Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.” Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence | NCpedia. MHA, 10 June 2008. Web. 07 Mar. 2017.