The Declaration of
Independence…
Objectives
• You should be able to:
– Identify and explain the immediate events leading
to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence
(Prohibitory Act, Richard Henry Lee’s
resolution, the Committee of Five, etc.)
– Analyze the key components of the Declaration
of Independence!
– Rewrite sections of the Declaration of
Independence in modern language
I lead, you follow…Any
questions
• WHO makes the rules you don't
like
• WHO decides if the rules are
fair or not
• HOW would you get the rules
changed
• WHAT does it mean to be
independent from the rules
• HOW does a group of people
declare that they will no longer
follow the rules?
– So based on what you stated,
what options to the colonists
have at this point?!?
Leading Toward Independence
• May 1775: Second Continental Congress
convenes in Philadelphia
• January 1776: Thomas Paine publishes
Common Sense
• February 1776: Britain passes the
Prohibitory Act
– Established a blockade of American ports and
declared American ships to be enemy vessels.
In West Philadelphia born and raised…
Now this is the story all about how
Colonial life got flipped, turned
upside down
And I'd like to take a minute just sit
right there
I'll tell you how I became the
patriot sittin’ here in this chair.
Colonial “Feelings”
• Some delegates hoped
for eventual
independence, but no
one yet advocated
declaring it
– Resistance was centered
in the middle colonies of
New York, New Jersey,
Maryland, Pennsylvania,
and Delaware
A Bold Measure
May 1776: Richard
Henry Lee introduces a
resolution (or a formal
statement):
– “These United Colonies
are, and of right out to be,
free and independent
states.”
– Vote: 12 yeas, one
abstention (NY)
Rebel WITH A
Cause
The Committee of Five
• Drafted and presented to the
Congress what became
known as America's
Declaration of
Independence of July 4,
1776
– John Adams of Massachusetts,
Benjamin Franklin of
Pennsylvania, Thomas
Jefferson of Virginia, Robert R.
Livingston of New York, and
Roger Sherman of Connecticut
John Adams
Structure of the Declaration of
Independence
Introduction:
•
I.
Called the Preamble
3 parts of the Declaration:
•
II.
Purpose and natural rights on which the
nation was founded (Enlightenment)
• “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created
equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness.”
• When the rights are violated, they can abolish their
government and create a new one.
The Declaration of Independence
III. List of grievances (British wrongs)
–
28 wrongs were listed
IV. Dissolving the bonds (Actions)
–
–
–
–
What the signers intend to do and why
Become the United States of America
All political connection is dissolved
Solemn pledge
• What if Dr. Seuss had written
the Declaration of
Independence?
• What would it have sounded
like?
• “…I meant what I said
And I said what I meant….
An elephant’s faithful
One hundred per cent!”
We rid ourselves
from this tie, we rid
ourselves so we
must say goodbye.
We have
some rights
that you
denied…..
• Group #1: The Preamble (Paragraph #1)
• Group #2: “We hold these truths…Safety and
Happiness”
• Group #3: Prudence, indeed will
dictate…provide new Guards for their future
security.”
• Group #4: Such has been the patient
sufferance…candid world.”
• Group #5: In every stage of the
Oppressions…”ruler of a free people”
• Group #6: Nor have we been wanting in
attention…Enemies in War in Peace Friends.”
• Group #7: We, therefore, the
Representatives…our Fortunes and our
sacred Honor.”
Discussion Questions…
1. Jefferson chose to begin the
Declaration with the words,
“The unanimous Declaration of
the thirteen united States of
America.” Do you feel this was
necessary? Why or why not?
Could the 13 colonies have
declared independence if they
were not unanimous? Why or
why not?
Discussion Questions
2. According to Jefferson,
what was the purpose of
government?
3. What does Jefferson
suggest should happen
whenever government
becomes “destructive of
the ends for which it was
created?”
4. According to Jefferson,
how do governments
derive their powers?
Discussion Questions
5. Jefferson noted that “all
men are created equal,”
suggesting that this was
“self-evident.” Speculate
as to what he meant by
that statement.
6. What sorts of conflicts
and misconceptions may
have stemmed from this
statement?
The Declaration of
Independence
• July 4, 1776
– Unanimously voted to accept the Declaration
of Independence
• John Hancock’s GINORMOUS signature was the
first and only one to sign on July 4th
• August 2
– Official signing
– No turning back now folks!
– Each signer was officially a traitor
"Indeed we must
all hang together,
otherwise we
shall most
assuredly hang
separately.”
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men
are created equal, that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among
these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
That to secure these rights, Governments are
instituted among Men, deriving their just powers
from the consent of the governed, That whenever
any Form of Government becomes destructive of
these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to
abolish it, and to institute new Government…