Each nation ever living in this world has always striven to be independent and in pursuit of equality, people fought for freedom and independence over the years. Being dependent on somebody else means that you are weaker and as nobody wants to appease with the fact that the hierarchical structure of this world is necessary for its proper functioning there will always be people who will stand up for inequality being dissatisfied with government or those who rule them. “Plan de Iguala” and “The Declaration of Independence” regardless of slight differences, have much in common as both the documents are the calling of people to unite and gain independence.
In “Plan de Iguala” there are three main goals people were trying to reach. They were equality, independence and religion. The document expresses resentment to the country’s subordination to somebody else and its desire to be united and independent: “The moment has come for you to declare your uniformity, and for our union to be the powerful hand that emancipates America without the need of outside aid.” (Joseph S. Tulchin, p. 115). People wanted King Ferdinand VII to be their ruler as by choosing him they wanted to “prevent pernicious acts of ambition”. (Joseph S. Tulchin, p. 117). Unlike “Plan de Iguala” “The Declaration of Independence” presents the King as a tyrant who abuses his powers and does not let his people have the life they want to have: “He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good” (Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison, p. 620) None of the peoples wants to have an usurper as a ruler this is why the attitude of the authors of this document towards the King was rather negative.
Furthermore, both the documents state that religion is what united people throughout their fight for freedom and independence, and they strive to preserve it and to make it common. Apart from independence, “Plan de Iguala” demanded “The Roman Catholic Apostolic Religion, without toleration of any other.” (Joseph S. Tulchin, 116). It should be admitted that when it comes to religion people are sometimes even more persistent and demanding that’s why religious disputes are something the government of each country is trying to avoid giving people the right to religious commitment. As far as “The Declaration of Independence” is concerned, it concentrates more on independence than religion, and perspective on religion is observed when speaking about the God’s giving people the right to stand out for their freedoms and to choose their rulers. There is no wonder that religion is not of prior concern in these documents as both of them speak about their people’s past under the colonial system and desire to live differently. For instance, in “Plan de Iguala” this past is mentioned as “unfortunate disorder, debauchery, and other evils in our fail land, impressed upon people’s minds” as well as “a horrible experience of so many disasters…” (Joseph S. Tulchin, p. 116). In “The Declaration of Independence” the colonial past is represented by the description of the sufferings the colonies experienced when not being independent. Because of the “long train of abuses and usurpations” and ”absolute despotism” (Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison, 619) people just had to stand up for their rights, and for this, they compiled the declaration.
The main reason “The Declaration of Independence’ was compiled is the necessity to change the government system and to free people from tyranny and despotism. It states that all people have certain inalienable rights, liberty being among them, and one of the main rights to change or abolish the government which does not serve people rights. Like all other free nations, these people wanted to have the right to start the war and to conclude peace agreements as well as to have free commerce and everything that a free state may have. In other words, people wanted to choose the appropriate methods of ruling by themselves and be unlimited in making their country a mighty state.
Works Cited
- Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison. The Federalist Papers. Cosimo, Inc., 2006.
- Joseph S. Tulchin. Problems in Latin American History: The Modern Period. New York: Harper & Row, 1973.