The British were white, English, and Protestant, just as we were. They had to have some other basis on which to justify independence, and happily they were able to formulate the inalienable truths set forth in the Declaration.

In this quote, Samuel P. Huntington, a prominent political scientist, explores the paradox of American independence in relation to Britain. He points out that the British and the Americans shared many common characteristics—they were both white, English, and Protestant—which makes the conflict between the two nations seem less about inherent differences and more about the necessity of justifying independence. Huntington suggests that, in order to justify their break from Britain, the American colonists needed to find a foundation that was different from their common heritage with the British. The solution came through the Declaration of Independence, which articulated the inalienable truths of equality and liberty.

Huntington’s quote highlights the significance of the Declaration of Independence in providing a philosophical and moral justification for the colonies' rebellion against British rule. He emphasizes that, despite their shared cultural and religious background, the American colonists needed a deeper, more universal set of principles to justify their demand for self-governance. The inalienable truths outlined in the Declaration, such as the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, provided that framework, which transcended their similarities with the British.

The origin of this idea is rooted in the American Revolution and the broader philosophical and political debates of the time. By the late 18th century, the American colonies had grown increasingly frustrated with British rule, and they sought to assert their right to self-determination. The Declaration of Independence, penned by Thomas Jefferson, laid the groundwork for the American argument by asserting that all people are endowed with certain unalienable rights, which provided the intellectual justification for independence.

In essence, Huntington’s quote reflects on the fact that the American Revolution was not merely about physical separation from Britain, but also about articulating a new political philosophy. The colonists' ability to draw on the inalienable truths in the Declaration of Independence allowed them to justify their rebellion against a country with whom they shared many ties, and this foundation laid the groundwork for the creation of a new nation built on the principles of liberty and equality.