Declaration of Independence Terri LeCroy Corbett Walhalla Elementary November 4, 2003

Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. It took him two weeks. Congress voted to accept it on July 4, Rough Draft of Declaration courtesy of American Mind Collection

The document that changed a nation.  This image of the Declaration is from an engraving. is from an engraving.  The printer was William J. Stone.  The engraving was done in  Most used version of Declaration. Declaration.  Photo courtesy of the National Archives.

Five Parts of the Declaration  Preamble  Statement of Human Rights  Charges against King and Parliament  Statement of Separation  Signatures

What is a Preamble?  A preamble is an introductory statement.  Introductory part of a constitution or statute.  States the reasons for and intent of the law.

Preamble When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another… When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another…

Statement of Human Rights 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. 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.

Statement of Human Rights  Government is formed to protect rights.  Britain no longer protecting colonists’ rights.  People have a right to change the government.

Charges Against the King and Parliament  List of 27 complaints  Some of the complaints included:  Cutting off trade  Imposing taxes without consent  Depriving colonists of Trial by Jury  Keeping Standing Armies without consent of legislatures

King George III reads the Declaration of Independence. King George reads the colonist complaints listed on the Declaration of Independence document. (Martin is playing the role of King George.)

Statement of Separation   Colonies are united.   All connections with Great Britain are dissolved.   States have power and authority to:   levy war   conclude peaceand contract alliances   establish commerce

Signatures  56 men signed the document.  Oldest signer was Benjamin Franklin.(70)  The youngest was Edward Rutledge. (26)  Most famous was John Hancock.

U.S. Capitol paintings. Signing of the Declaration of Independence, painting by John Trumbull in U.S. Capitol, detail with Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin II. American Memory Collection: Signing of the Declaration

Declaration Resources  Visit American Memory Collection:   Visit Library of Congress Top Treasures.   Visit Signers Fact Sheet courtesy of National Archives.  rience/declaration_signers_gallery.html rience/declaration_signers_gallery.html rience/declaration_signers_gallery.html

The document that changed a nation.  This is a photo of the original Declaration.  It is exhibited in the Rotunda in Washington, DC.  It is extremely faded.  Photo is courtesy of National Archives.  nal_archives_experience/declar ation.html nal_archives_experience/declar ation.html nal_archives_experience/declar ation.html

Credits This power point presentation was created using the American Memory Collection (AAM) in the Library of Congress. This power point presentation was created using the American Memory Collection (AAM) in the Library of Congress. Pictures of Declaration are courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. (NARA)  Slide 12: Photo of signing (AAM)  Slide 3: Photo of original Document. (NARA)  Slide 14: Photo of engraved Document. (NARA)