AIM: Why did the 13 Colonies have a right to declare independence from Great Britain? Do Now: Imagine- You are 18 years old and live in your own apartment in your mother’s house… 1. She takes half of your paycheck every week 2. She tells you where you are allowed to spend the rest of it. 3. She tells you where you are allowed to go on weekends. 4. She sleeps in your apartment whenever she feels like it. What do you do? Remain silent, try to talk to her, or just move out. If you try to talk to her, what would you say?

I. Incidents leading to colonists’ anger towards England and King George III: A. Proclamation of 1763 B. Navigation Acts C. Sugar Act D. Stamp Act E. Townshend Acts F. Boston Massacre G. Tea Act H. Intolerable Acts

II. Finally, in June of 1776, the Continental Congress asked Thomas Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence. It was approved on July 4, 1776. It contained 3 main parts:

A. Statement of theory of a democratic government B. List of British wrongs or grievances inflicted upon the colonies C. Concluding statement of independence

First part of the Declaration of Independence- The Key Ideas of Government: “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 abolish it and to institute a new form of government.”

“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 abolish it and to institute a new form of government.” 1. What are the 3 basic rights listed in the Declaration of Independence?

“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 abolish it and to institute a new form of government.” 2. According to the passage, what are governments supposed to do?

“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 abolish it and to institute a new form of government.” 3. If the government fails to achieve its purpose what is the consequence?

“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 abolish it and to institute a new form of government.” 4. Do you think the colonists felt that their natural rights were being protected? Why or why not?

Second Part of the Declaration of Independence “HE has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly…” “HE has kept among us, in time of peace, standing armies…” “For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us…” “For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world…” “For imposing taxes on us without our consent…” 1. Who is HE? 2. Are these grievances true? Give some examples. 3. Why would Jefferson include these statements in the Declaration of Independence? 4. In your opinion, which grievance was the worst? Give your reason why.