(First published in 2005)
Many Americans may not realize that the Declaration of Independence was in large part a brilliant public relations strategy to persuade people on both sides of the Atlantic.
Years after the events of 1776, Thomas Jefferson recalled the challenge of creating what is now typically called a position statement. The goal, Jefferson wrote, was "to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent, and to justify ourselves in the independent stand we are compelled to take... It was intended to be an expression of the American mind and to give to that expression the proper tone and spirit called for by the occasion."
Jefferson sketched out a working draft, followed by a month's worth of approval cycles with Congress. The result was a precisely worded communique designed to achieve several critical public opinion goals:
-- To generate support for the rebellion by the many Americans who were still ambivalent about the idea. The Pennsylvania Evening Post reported the Declaration first on July 6. Public readings followed throughout the colonies, galvanizing the population toward a visionary common cause.
-- To give meaning to a demoralized colonial Army that had already been fighting the British for more than a year. General Washington had his personal copy of the Declaration read to tired, sick and undersupplied soldiers in New York on July 9, as hundreds of British warships and troop carriers entered the harbor in preparation for battle.
-- To frame the issue so foreign governments might help the colonies. Since most of the potential allies were themselves monarchies -- and many with colonies -- the Declaration made a point of articulating the problem to be King George, not kings and queens.
-- To force the issue with every member of Congress. Signing the Declaration made things very black and white. Either they must win the revolution or face death as traitors to the crown.
What could be called the first official announcement from these United States also didn't hesitate to spin the facts for effect. Historians point out that many of the Declaration's complaints about the King and Parliament were selective, out of context and greatly exaggerated.
It's a proud tradition that continues to this very day in press releases from corporations, activist groups and government offices across our great country.
Happy birthday, America.
(One more bit of PR lore: The actual signing of the Declaration was an administrative procedure that didn't start until August. The original resolution to declare independence was submitted by Virginia's Richard Henry Lee on June 7, and Congress declared independence on July 2. Two days later they finally got around to formally adopting the document that had been in works for weeks. People who start popping off their fireworks before the 4th are being patriotic as well as impatient.)
