Declaration of Independence What are the principles expressed in the D of I? July 4, 1776

What opinions drove the debate at the Second Continental Congress? (Radicals vs. Moderates vs. Conservative) What had the Americans done to try to fix the problems? –Letters –Petitions –Boycotts –Demonstrations What were Patriots risking? –Lives –Property –Honor

Author Thomas Jefferson –Committee included Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston Influenced by John Locke and other Enlightenment Philosophes

Democratic Philosophy (What we believe a good government should be…) All men are created equal Inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness Government by the consent of the governed The right to alter or abolish a government if it does not protect the people’s rights

Grievances or Complaints (Proof that England did not provide us with a good government) To prove England had not provided a good government “HE”Examples: –Quartering troops –Interference with trade – Standing armies –Taxation without representation –Waged war on “us” –Denied trial by jury –Invaded privacy

Rights of new nation ( Rights of the new United States) Declare war Conclude peace Contract alliances Establish trade …anything any other nation can do

Effects of the Declaration New ideas – government based on democracy; right to revolution, no hereditary class distinctions, no more divine right of kings Goal of revolution: INDEPENDENCE Goals for US government – due process of law (Issues of equality remained: abolition of slavery, civil rights movement, democratic reforms – voting rights, etc.) civil rights movement, democratic reforms – voting rights, etc.) Inspired others –French Revolution (1789), Latin American revolutions (early 1800’s), post – WWII independence movements in Asia & Africa (1945 – 1960’s); China (1989 – Tiananmen Square); Middle East (2011 – “Arab Spring”)