The Cambridge Companion to the Declaration of Independence

A wide-ranging and accessible anthology of original essays that provides readers with the essential history of that Declaration of Independence, as well as new and diverse perspectives on the background, writing, ideas, history and the contemporary significance of the Declaration.

The Cambridge Companion to the Declaration of Independence offers a wide-ranging and accessible anthology of essays for understanding the Declaration's intellectual and social context, connection to the American Revolution, and influence in the United States and throughout the world. The volume places the document in the context of ideas during the Enlightenment and examines the language and structure to assess its effect and appeal throughout the centuries and across countries. Here are contributions from law, history, and political science, considering such matters as the philosophical foundations of the Declaration, the role of religion, critics of its role in American political development, and whether 'Jefferson's handiwork' is still relevant in the twenty-first century. Written by distinguished and emerging scholars, the Companion provides new and diverse perspectives on the most important statement of American political commitments.