OR “GET OFF OUR CASE, GEORGE 3!!!” Declaration of Independence!

4 basic parts: Part 1 Introduction Rebels desire to explain independence Notice to King George III Also a notice to the rest of the world –Why? “When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another... respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

Part 2 All “men” are politically equal Born with certain natural rights that cannot be taken away:  Locke  Life, Liberty, Property  Jefferson  Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness Because rights can be threatened, men create government to protect those rights Because man creates government, if it stops doing its job (protecting natural rights), men can change/destroy them Not something to be taken lightly, but must be done “…all men are created equal…endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government…it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such a government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”

Part 3 Only undergo revolution when no other option exists In the face of many various abuses  Colonies have tried patience, tried negotiation  It hasn’t worked HUGE laundry-list of abuses committed by the crown

Part 3: examples Refused to agree to laws that benefit the public good Kept standing armies in colonies in times of peace Imposing taxes without consent Quebec Act – Expanding the province, instituting strict royal rule, intimidating neighboring colonies “He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.” “He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation”

Part 4 They want the rest of the world to recognize grievances Also recognize that they are no longer part of British Empire Encourage the world to treat America as independent (alliances, trade, etc.) – Answer to question on slide 2

Your own Declaration of Independence! Think about a couple of things in the world that exert some measure of control over you – what are some of those things? We are going to focus on SCHOOL…

DECLARE YOUR INDEPENDENCE! Follow a format similar to ol’ T-Jeff  Start with the following: When in the course of student events, it becomes necessary to rebel against the man... respect to the opinions of mankind requires that one should declare the causes which impel them to this decision.  Explain why you deserve your independence – be persuasive  Maybe include some basic rights of all students, how crucial students are to the idea of school  Explain how this institution/Mr. Giesen is mistreating you or infringing on those basic rights  Provide a specific list of grievances  Conclude by proving/explaining your maturity

Important Notes: If instead of declaring independence, you are support the school’s efforts, you may write a ½-1 page speech (you don’t have to deliver it) explaining the positives of Schoolish rule.  REMEMBER: not EVERYONE was a “Patriot,” there were many “Loyalists” as well Also, keep in mind that in the Founding Fathers’ case, they had to fight a war that lasted about 6 years from Lex/Concord through Yorktown to earn the independence they declared