Liberty Definition Piece

In the dictionary, the definition of the term "liberty" means independence and
freedom. America was born on the foundation of this truth, and the word has continued to
live on into modern times. However, as President Woodrow Wilson had stated in his
speech in New York, on September 9, 1912, "The history of liberty is the history of
resistence" (Wilson). Liberty, or basically freedom, was conjured out of the blood, sweat
and tears of a variety of people throughout history. Liberty was not just given out by the
government, or powers that be during the time, but instead was achieved through the fight
for it.
During the birth of America, Great Britain and its king held power over the people
of America. However, American's stood up and fought for their rights and for their
freedom. The people would work as a whole to combat the tyranny that stood against
them. "Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now
coming on. We have petitioned: we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have
prostated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the
tyrannical hands of the ministry and parliament" (Henry 2). In his speech, Patrick Hentry
shows the resistence that the American people are putting against the King and Great
Britain. In his speech, Patrick Henry also states, "I know not what course others may
take; but as for me; give me liberty or give me death!" (Henry 2). Liberty was only
gained for the American's after fighting against and declaring independence from Great
Britain.
The same fight for liberty can be seen even closer to modern times in the fight for
women's rights. In 1919, woman were finally given the right to vote, but this right was
only granted to them after they had fought for it. In the Declartion of Sentiments it states,
"In entering upon the great work before us; we anticipate no small amount of
misconception, misrepresentation, and ridicule; but we shall use every instrumentality
within our power to effect our object. We shall employ agents, circulate tracts, petition
the state and national legislatures, and endeavor to enlist the pulpit and the press in our
behalf". In similar ways, the fight for woman's rights were similar to the fight for
indepenence in America. However, both wer in different times with different types of
governments. Woodrow Wilson was right with how he stated that "Liberty has never

come from the government. Liberty has always come from the subjects of it". This
statement time and time again shows to be true, in that continuously throughout history,
despite the government or power at hand, and despite the injustices of people, the
government has never been the one to hand out liberty or freedom and relieve those
people of their injustices. Liberty has always been a fight. This same fight continues on
even in modern days. Just recentyly Gays were granted the right to get married. Another
example is Collin Kaepernick and his silent fight against police brutality. Liberty is not
something that is easily achieve. "The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries
and usurpations...", and that truth still shows light in today's present and upcoming future.
The history of liberty has always been a fight for freedom, and a fight against the
tribulations and injustices that has been set against a people.