10/16 Warm-UP: ❖ Name three “grievances” that the colonists were angry with the King about

Declaration of Independence

Second Continental Congress ❖ Met in June 1776 in Philadelphia ❖ Delegates met to decide on whether to continue peace talks with Britain or vote for Independence ❖ Colonies vote 12 to 1 in favor of Independence ❖ New York colony votes against it ( only dissenting vote)

Second Continental Congress ❖ Thomas Jefferson is chosen to write the Declaration of Independence ❖ Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Robert R. Livingston and Roger Sherman assist in creating the document

Declaration of Independence ❖ Jefferson wrote the document at the Graff house located outside the city ❖ Took over 2 weeks to write ❖ Jefferson was not a great speaker but was a very talented writer

Declaration of Independence ❖ The document consists of 4 parts ❖ Part 1: The Preamble - Why the Continental Congress decides to write the document ❖ Part 2: Declaration of Natural Rights - Discusses the rights given to us by God and outlines the legitimacy of the Revolution

Declaration of Independence ❖ Part 3: List of Grievances - Is a list of offenses against the colonies by King George III ❖ Part 4: Resolution of Independence - Includes the formal announcement for Independence and outlines the colonies view of a limited, democratic government

Declaration of Independence ❖ Many of Jefferson’s ideas were drawn from the teachings of John Locke and other political philosophers ❖ All men have certain rights ❖ Right to “...life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” UNALIENABLE RIGHTS ❖ Colonies were no longer bound to Britain

Declaration of Independence ❖ Jefferson’s final draft is submitted to the Congress on June 28, 1776 ❖ Final draft includes language against slavery which is taken out by the Congress ❖ The delegates edit Jefferson’s draft and reduce its length by about 1/4

Declaration of Independence ❖ The delegates vote for and approve the final draft on July 4th, Independence Day! ❖ John Hancock - President of the Congress signs the document making it legal and binding ❖ By July 15th, 1776, all thirteen colonies had voted for the Declaration

Declaration of Independence ❖ On the evening of July 4th, 1776, John Dunlap is said to have printed broadsides and distributed to all the delegates the next day ❖ Contrary to popular belief, this printing with only John Hancock’s and Thomson’s signatures is what was delivered to King George III in England later that year ❖ The names of the other delegates was not published until 1777

Importance of the Declaration ❖ The document declares the colonies independence and outlines the basic rights of all Americans ❖ Abraham Lincoln will use the phrase “all men are created equal” to justify the Civil War ❖ Women will use the ideals to get the right to vote