The Declaration of Independence
On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced a resolution in the
Continental Congress that said, “These United colonies are, and of right ought to be,
free and independent States.” A committee of five men was selected to write a
formal declaration explaining the reasons for independence. The committee
included Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and
Thomas Jefferson (who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence
that was adopted on July 4, 1776).
DO NOW: Without looking at the Declaration, what are three reasons that you
believe the colonies would want to declare their independence from Britain?
1.”No taxation without representation!”
2.King has refused attempts to make peace (Dec’l of Rights & Olive Branch
Petition)
3.Recent violence (Boston Massacre, Battles of Lexington & Concord)
Now looking at the Declaration (using American Anthem pgs 121-124), answer the
following questions.
1. How is the Declaration’s idea about why governments are formed still
important to our country today?
It is possible for people to change the gov’t when it no longer reflects their
will; pursuit of life, liberty (important concepts for all people)
2. How does the language in the list (of grievances/complaints) appeal to the
people’s emotions?
Words such as ABSOLUTE DESPOTISM, REPEATED INJURIES,
USURPATIONS, TYRANNY, REFUSED, & FORBIDDEN convey a sense of
injustice.
3. Why were the colonists protesting British tax policies? REVIEW QUESTION!
Taxes were imposed without the consent of the colonists.
4. What do you think TYRANT means from this passage (pg 123, 9th
paragraph)?
A tyrant is a ruler who abuses his/her right to rule by treating subjects
unfairly & harshly.
5. Whose authority does the Congress use to declare independence?
the “authority of the good people of these colonies”
6. The following is part of a passage that the Congress removed from Jefferson's
original draft:
He has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most
sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of a distant people who never
offended him, captivating and carrying them into slavery in another
hemisphere, or to incur miserable death in their transportation...”
Why do you think Congress deleted this passage from the Declaration?
(Your answer may be slightly different, that’s OK!)
-slavery was controversial
-southern colonies would not have supported the Declaration of Independence
with this message because the Southern Colonies relied on slavery for their
economy/way of life.
7. Check the grievances you listed for your Do Now, can you find them in the
actual Declaration (or something similar)? If so, please copy the exact grievance
as it appears in the Declaration. If not, please find three grievances that you
believe are the most important/convincing. Grievances begin on pg 121 and end
on pg 123.
1.Answers will vary, you have to complete this portion yourself!
2.
3.
8. Does the Declaration of Independence make these British colonies officially the
United States of America? (Are they independent now because they have
“declared” it? Will Britain recognize these colonies as a new independent
country now?)
NO – it’s not until the colonists/Americans WIN the Revolutionary War that
Britain will acknowledge America’s independence. THIS (INDEPENDENCE) is
what they are now fighting for in the American Revolution!