Magra shares history of Declaration of Independence
Dr. Chris Magra, a professor of Early American History at University of Tennessee and director of the Center for the Study of Tennesseans and War, spoke about the military history of the Declaration of Independence at Farragut Museum’s History Hour in Town Hall Tuesday, Sept. 22, and to Rotary Club of Farragut members at their meeting in Fox Den Country Club Wednesday, Sept. 16.
He also shared information on his new book, “America’s First War.”
“We are pleased to welcome back Dr. Magra,” said Kristi Vining, Farragut historic resources coordinator. “He has been a strong supporter of the Farragut Museum, and he’s a true asset to our community.
“We appreciate him sharing his love of history and his knowledge with us,” Vining said. “There has been a focus this year on the 250th anniversary of our country, and the military history of the Declaration of Independence goes along with that theme.”
The museum’s History Hour events are free.
To Rotarians, Magra said he was thinking about the country’s 250th anniversary and the Declaration of Independence and discovered “no one has written about the Declaration of Independence,” he said, adding, “The Declaration of Independence is a military document through and through.
“It’s about a war that was ongoing,” Magra added.
The war raged from April 1775 to July 1783. The Declaration of Independence was drafted in July 1775 by the Second Continental Congress in the Assembly Room of Independence Hall.
Magra explained Americans were divided on why they should be at war even though “we love democracy; we love our freedom … and we want to debate it.”
There were reasons for war: taxation without representation – the Stamp Act and the tea tax — violation of rights and then military aggression with the presence of British troops and its bombardment of Norfolk.
Still, there were citizens who were loyal to Britain or saw the magnitude of the British military and its adding of German Hessian soldiers.
The country’s founders needed to show justification for war. After the bombardment in Norfolk, Magra said colonists were angry.
The cause further was strengthened with Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense,” a 47-page document in which he advocated for independence from Great Britain.
But the Declaration of Independence clearly stated the grievances against Britain and the need for a unified response to British aggression.
