Declaration of Interdependence

When the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776, the American colonists severed their ties with England, declaring themselves a separate and independent nation. Over the following decades the two nations forged different courses in history, pushing and pulling against each other. The Great War brought the two nations together in a fight against Germany, and, exactly 142 years after the Declaration of Independence, the two nations symbolically joined together again on July 4, 1918 with the issuance of a Declaration of Interdependence.

The pamphlet on the Declaration of Interdependence.

The commemoration of the new declaration, which was marked by “a spirit of brotherhood… in the air” (3) was intended to acknowledge the two countries’ need for each other (6). A series of dignitaries presented speeches, and the resolution for a Declaration of Interdependence was passed unanimously. There were a few things that struck me as especially interesting while reading through the pamphlet.

First, a common theme was the countries’ sense of shared duty to the world. In fact, each speaker mentioned this at least once in their speech. “The two nations are making today a new declaration, a Declaration of Interdependence, of acknowledgement that they have need of each other and belong together for the work of the world,” American soldier George Haven Putnam said (5-6). This same sentiment was echoed in the next speech of Viscount Bryce, who noted that “With the love of freedom, and as its proper accompaniment, Britain and America have both revered the moral law, have held to good faith between nations, and have recognized their duties to the world” (11). Winston Churchill, the keynote speaker, similarly emphasized the nations’ joint duty to the world in his speech. “Let us proclaim the true comradeship of Britain and America, and their determination to stand together until the work is done, in all perils, in all difficulties, at all costs,” he stated (17). These assertions connect to the  larger themes we have been discussing in class, about each nation’s perceived duty to the world. The fact that this point was brought up during the commemoration of the Declaration of Interdependence is significant because it shows how despite earlier division, both Britain and the United States now shared a democratic vision for the world.

The program of events for the commemoration.

Another common theme was the role of race. Hon. A. Meighen, a representative of the Canadian government, noted that the Anglo-Saxon race could never be together again politically. “But they are together for a greater purpose than the building of a nation: they are together to rescue a world,” he asserted (19). Winston Churchill also emphasized race, referring repeatedly to “the English-speaking race” (13). These points are important to consider in the context of the timeline of the war. By July 1918, the war was nearing its inevitable end. Wilson had already delivered his Fourteen Points speech to Congress in January of that year, so long-term planning for the end of the war was on the horizon. Thus, the comments about race signify a larger framework of thinking about how different races and different countries would be suited for self-determination and democratic government following the war.

The re-interpretation of the historical record was also interesting to observe throughout the pamphlet. A few of the speakers acknowledged the irony in celebrating the anniversary of the two countries’ separation. However, by emphasizing the English background of the Declaration of Independence, the speakers presented an image of America as embracing English morals. For example, Churchill noted that “The Declaration of Independence is not only an American document; it follows on Magna Carta and the Petition of Right as the third of the great title deeds on which the liberties of the English-speaking race are founded” (13). Stressing the shared legal and moral background of the two nations was an attempt to move past the divisive history and instead focus on a unified battle against the Germans. Emphasizing the common background also served to reiterate the importance of promoting democracy for the world. I also thought it was interesting that there was no reference to America once existing as a British colony. This was clearly a touchy subject given the state of empires and colonization at this point in the war.

The Declaration of Interdependence provides an opportunity to connect a historical event to earlier parts of history (the original Declaration of Independence), but it can also connect to the modern day. During a state visit to Beijing yesterday, President Donald Trump emphasized the United States’ relationship with China and asserted that collectively the two countries have “the power to liberate the world” from the North Korean “menace.” This closely echoes the sentiment of the American and British leaders who vowed to work together to save the world from Germany. While I can’t imagine the United States and China will sign a Declaration of Interdependence any time in the near future, only time will tell how this particular conflict will play out. The Founders and the old English monarchy certainly never could have imagined their respective countries signing a Declaration of Interdependence only 142 years after the events of July 4, 1776.