1. The Declaration of Independence The greatest breakup letter of all time.

2. Setting the Stage  The Colonies are in a long term, long distance relationship with Great Britain.  GB has been mistreating us, taxing us without representation.  We’ve been fighting: Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party.  We have different interests.  Locke, Montesquieu, Voltaire, Rousseau, The Social Contract  The Colonies are in a long term, long distance relationship with Great Britain.  GB has been mistreating us, taxing us without representation.  We’ve been fighting: Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party.  We have different interests.  Locke, Montesquieu, Voltaire, Rousseau, The Social Contract

3. We don’t know what to do…

5. The Declaration of Independence  The Second Continental Congress had appointed a committee to draft a document.  Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence with help from…  John Adams & Ben Franklin  The Second Continental Congress had appointed a committee to draft a document.  Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence with help from…  John Adams & Ben Franklin

7. What are some characteristics of a good breakup letter?

8. Let’s look at the Declaration of Independence!

9. Parts of the Breakup Letter  The Preamble: Explains why the letter is being written, explains what is about to happen.  Declaration of Natural Rights: Explains how we have been growing apart and learning things about ourselves.  List of Grievances: Provides evidence of our mistreatment. Explains we tried to work on the relationship.  Resolution: The clean break.  The Preamble: Explains why the letter is being written, explains what is about to happen.  Declaration of Natural Rights: Explains how we have been growing apart and learning things about ourselves.  List of Grievances: Provides evidence of our mistreatment. Explains we tried to work on the relationship.  Resolution: The clean break.

10. Activity  Write your own Declaration of Independence in the form of an actual breakup letter with Britain.  Use the reasoning in the actual Declaration, but put it in modern, everyday language.  Follow the outline Jefferson laid out for us.  Write your own Declaration of Independence in the form of an actual breakup letter with Britain.  Use the reasoning in the actual Declaration, but put it in modern, everyday language.  Follow the outline Jefferson laid out for us.