Concepts of Time Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Concepts of Time - Essay Example One significant issue that the Americans understand through the conception of time is the declaration of independence. In the book, The Sons of the fathers, Albanese looks at the declaration of independence in terms of time and the importance of that achievement at the time it happened and in future time (Albanese 5). Albanese states that the declaration of independence meant a lot to school-going children. She states that the declaration of independence was a form of enlightenment to schoolchildren in 1937. She also states that this event was significant for succeeding generations because they would consider the document as an evidence of a stronger foundation. As such, Albanese looks at the declaration of independence in terms of its meaning to different people in different generations (Albanese 18). In 1937, the declaration of independence meant that Americans could control their materialism. They looked at independence in terms of ability and capacity to control their belonging. However, the current America does not look at the declaration of independence as a means to control their materialism. They look at it in terms of awareness and freedom. The declaration of independence means a way of acquiring rights and controlling politics and governance. Albanese looks at declaration of independence in times of people like Thomas Jefferson, Margaret Willard among other people (Albanese 219). During the declaration of independence, Americans considered it as a sacred document and an entity that was handled by religious leaders as a formed of governance. Albanese states that because the document was sacred, then the time of its declaration was also sacred. There were religious practices that were done during the declaration, which included natural liturgy of religious remembrance. Another important event looked at in terms of time is the ratification of the constitution in 1787. The constitution marked a different age in the United States of America. For example, b efore the constitution was ratified, American people did not have many rights and freedoms defined. The political class used to control many issues that affected citizens. Political leaders did not care about the wellbeing of citizens, as long as they acquired the things and privileges they wanted. However, after the ratification of the constitution, many rights and freedoms were defined formally in the constitution. They allowed American citizens to engage in certain things such as free will to religion, freedom of speech, right to life and freedom of movement among other things. Therefore, time in this sense, meant an aspect of different lifestyles and ways of life in America (More 19). American Revolution is also understood in terms of time. Political leaders who existed in the United States of America in the seventeenth century used history to compare forms of governance, political regimes and the success of different governance systems. They compared political systems and their governance through time and used that history, to develop their own political forms. A notable result of this involves the start of republicanism that occurred in the United States of America in 1775. Republican values in the United States and the importance of a materialistic way of life influenced the American Revolution. All Americans adapted their ways of life including, culture, religion