Excerpts from The Declaration of Independence

Excerpt 1: When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation”

Excerpt 1: When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to end the political ties which have connected them with other nations of the earth, the separate and equal place to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God give right to them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which force them to the separation”

ANSWER: We want to explain why we do not want to be a part of Britain.

Excerpt 2: 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.

Excerpt 2: We hold these truths to be obvious that all men are created equal, that they are given by their creator with certain not to be taken away Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

ANSWER: Everybody knows that we are all equal  ANSWER: Everybody knows that we are all equal. God gave us certain rights. Nobody can take them away.

Excerpt 3: “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

Excerpt 3: “That to defend these rights, Governments are establish among Men, receiving their fair powers from the agreement of the governed.”

ANSWER: The Purpose of government is to protect these rights ANSWER: The Purpose of government is to protect these rights. We the people make the government.

Excerpt 4: “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”.

Excerpt 4: “That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to change or to abolish it, and to institute new Government”.

ANSWER: When the government does not protect our rights, we can get rid of it and start a new government.

Excerpt 5: The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these states.

Excerpt 5: The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and illegal seizure, all having the goal of the establishment of an absolute government by an unjust ruler over these states.

Answer: The king has been very mean. He wants to order us around Answer: The king has been very mean. He wants to order us around. He wants to continue his absolute power in the colonies

Excerpt 6: To Prove this (that England has interfered with colonial rights) let Facts be submitted to a candid world. He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.  

Excerpt 6: To Prove this (that England has interfered with colonial rights) let Facts be presented to judgement to a fair world. He has refused his agreement to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

Answer: We are going to tell why the king is mean Answer: We are going to tell why the king is mean. He won’t pass laws that help us.

Excerpt 7 “In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant is unfit to be the ruler of a free people”  

Excerpt 7: “In every stage of these unjust action we have petitioned for relief in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant is unfit to be the ruler of a free people”

Answer: When we complain to the king, he just becomes meaner Answer: When we complain to the king, he just becomes meaner. He shouldn’t be our king.

Excerpt 8 “We therefore,… Excerpt 8 “We therefore,…. Solemnly publish and declare, that these United Colonies are, and of Right, ought to be free and independent states.

Answer: We will be free and Independent from Great Britain.