Declaration of Arbroath: A Blueprint for the Declaration of Independence?

In 1320 a letter was sent to the Pope (John XXII) signed by 8 barons and 40 earls of Scotland. In it, they ask that he recognise Scotland’s independence and King Robert I (better known as Robert the Bruce) as her rightful leader. They give a detailed description citing why the people of Scotland wish to stay independent from their English neighbours, then carry on to state why it is the responsibility of the Pope to respect and recognise this common desire. But why was this so important for the Scottish nobles? Well, at this point in history we are in the very midst of the First War of Scottish Independence (1296-1328) and Robert the Bruce had been King for around 14 years, following England’s execution of William Wallace. And yet, relatively new to his role, the Pope refused to recognise Scotland’s independence to England despite the previous Pope doing so. So, the Declaration of Arbroath was both a testament of Scotland’s devotion to her sovereignty being recognised but it also had a vital aim of keeping a good relationship with the Catholic Church, of which the Pope was head of.

Maybe the more famous of the two letters, this declaration had a far wider intended audience; the whole world. Addressed to King George III of Britain and signed by the leaders of America’s then 13 states, it is a unanimous statement of the nation’s decision to become independent of the British Empire. Although the American Revolutionary War had begun the year before (1775), this letter was written, in part, as a formal explanation of America’s decision so they were understood on a global level, as well as intending to be a rallying cry for support. A good chunk of the letter effectively lists all wrongs America has been dealt by Britain, often blaming the King personally. At the end it concludes that America is given no choice but to fight for her freedom and rights that have been denied to her. In this list of wrongdoings down to the very tiny details, new outrage is stirred up that would be vital for more support that would allow for America’s success in the Revolutionary War.

So both these letters were written during wartimes that would determine each countries’ independence, but is that the only common feature between them? Below are some other similarities that could suggest the Declaration of Arbroath was used as an inspiration for the Declaration of Independence.

In a very revolutionary demonstration for its time, the Declaration of Arbroath states that if King Robert I were to not uphold Scotland’s independence, then he would be removed from power for this disrespect. The letter plainly declares that Scotland would “at once drive him out as our enemy” before electing “some new man who was well able to defend us”. So whilst Robert I was King, he had been elected to this role, and his power was by no means absolute. He and his people knew it was his responsibility to uphold and defend Scotland’s freedom, and should he go against their wishes he could be swiftly dethroned and replaced. Essentially, the King was expected to rule upon the will of his people.

A similar idea is seen in the Declaration of Independence, this time referring to the role of government. Whilst aiming to legitimise America’s revolution, the letter states that “Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed” and that in failure to fulfil this role “it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government”. Here, the Declaration of Independence holds the similar idea that governments should not be all powerful and must be held accountable by the people. In doing this, they justify America’s need for revolution as King George III has not carried out the will of the American people.

With Arbroath’s aim to have Scotland’s independence recognised by the Pope and Catholic Church, whilst simultaneously trying to keep in their good books, the letter is specifically dedicated to the Pope personally. Throughout the letter the Pope is assured that Scotland is still devoted to the Catholic Church, but (not so) subtle reminders are dropped in regularly reminding him his predecessor had no issue recognising Scotland’s sovereignty. And so, to ensure a good relationship Arbroath promises that Scotland has no issue with the Pope himself, rather with his decision in not recognising an independent Scotland.

Something similar happens in the Declaration of Independence. The letter states that America has no quarrel with Britain, rather with her actions and ruling over them. The letter states that upon America’s victory Britain would be treated like any other country, “Enemies in War, in Peace Friends” emphasising the nations intent to fight for its revolution whilst having no plan to have a long term, pointless rivalry with Britain.

Maybe the obvious similarity in the two letters is the long lists they each give of all their respective oppressors’ wrongdoings. Arbroath sprinkles these throughout the document, pairing England’s crimes against Scotland with the forced defensive stance Scotland was forced to take in order to protect herself, placing the nation on a sort of moral high ground. They even go as far to suggest that the reason England keeps attempting to invade Scotland, is as an excuse not to send their troops to fight in the Pope sanctioned Holy War. By doing this Arbroath highlights the wrongdoings of England against Scotland and (more importantly) the Catholic Church.

The Declaration of Independence, however, is far bolder, with a good chunk of the letter dedicated solely to its list. Starting off with 13 “He has” statements in reference to George III, then 9 beginning in “For”, and finishing off with another 5 “He has”. This purposefully repetitive list emphasises the ceaseless nature of the violations carried out against America, highlighting those on both a large and more personal scale, and further justifying the American cause for revolution.

Both letters claim that they are fighting their oppressors out of necessity, not just for the sake of it, and this is not a fight they plan to lose. Each claim they have experienced extreme violence and cruelty at their antagonisers’ hands, for no other reason than England and Britain’s goals to keep and gain more power. Arbroath claims that England should be satisfied with what she already has, it was once “enough for seven kings or more” and that Scotland should be left to its previously peaceful existence. The Declaration of Independence also has this idea that America is fighting out of defence, stating that Britain “is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations” and has given America no choice but to defend herself and her rights. With both letters’ defensive stance, they also both have a fierce sense of loyalty to one another and the cause they fight for. The Declaration of Independence ends with all leaders of the 13 states pledging their allegiance through signing their names. In Arbroath, it claims that regardless of what happens to Scotland “as long as a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions by subjected to the lordship of the English” and that they do not fight for anything but “for freedom alone”. Essentially the letter declares ‘we’ll fight and win together, or we’ll fight and die together’.