Justice Curriculum Connection – History

When the colonists did not like how unjustly the British crown treated them, they fought back and eventually declared their Independence. The concept of justice permeated the Declaration of Independence, serving as a critical foundation for the colonists’ claim. The document repeatedly emphasizes the principle of “natural rights,” inherent rights all individuals possess, including “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The colonists argued that the British government had violated these fundamental rights through unfair taxation, representation denial, and self-government curtailment. They framed their actions as a response to injustice, emphasizing that a government’s legitimacy derives from protecting these unalienable rights, not sheer power. By highlighting the unjust acts of the British, the colonists sought to justify their rebellion and garner international support for their pursuit of a just and self-governing nation.