1. Declaration of Independence
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

2. What led to it?
Believe me, dear Sir: there is not in the British empire a man who more cordially loves a union with Great Britain than I do. But, by the God that made me, I will cease to exist before I yield to a connection on such terms as the British Parliament propose; and in this, I think I speak the sentiments of America.
—Thomas Jefferson, November 29, 1775

3. Was it too late for the Crown to apologize?
Too Late to Apologize

4. What led to it? 1763 - 7 year war ended
1765 – Stamp & Quartering Act (1774)
Townshend Acts $$
TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!
Coercive Acts/ Intolerable/ Quartering II 1774
st Continental Congress
4/ 1775 Revolutionary War begins
– 2nd Continental Congress

5. Declarations of Independence!
Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense:” Argued for colonial independence (1/1776) stimulated debate.

6. Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson authored.
13 colonies at war w/ GB now independent
1 year+ after start of Rev War
Voted 7/2/1776
Adopted by Continental Congress 7/4, 1776
Signed +/- 8/2, 1776
Housed in National Archives

7. Declaration of Independence
Page 306
Go around your table – each person state one significant phrase from the Declaration and what it means.

8. Content of the Declaration of Independence
Asserts natural rights (LLP!!!)
Right to Revolution
List of grievances against King George III

9. Who signed it? Men of means & education 25 lawyers/ jurists
11 merchants
9 farmers/ large plantation owners
1 teacher, musician, printer

10. Who Signed? 56 delegates eventually signed including: John Hancock
Sam Adams
John Adams
Benjamin Franklin

11. What did they risk? EVERYTHING! Enormous sacrifice
Instantly became traitors to Crown
Could be captured, tortured as traitors;
Families at risk;
Some died from wounds/ hardships from Revolutionary War;
Some had homes pillaged & burned

12. Now
In groups of 2 or 3; in the hallway, Wulf Den, 116 … you choose; take turns reading the entire Declaration of Independence.
Please stop and discuss the meaning at the end of each paragraph, or in the case of the 2nd paragraph and the end of each long sentence.

13. What Does the Declaration of Independence Represent?
Rights of Individuals: “they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness …”
Purpose of Government: “that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men…”
Popular Sovereignty “deriving their powers from consent of the governed”
Rights of marginalized “all men created equal”
Moral Standard/ Framework for US
Lincoln’s political philosophy

14. International Implications
“An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come.” Victor Hugo
Inspired 1789 French Revolution, 1989 Tiananmen Square
Aftermath of the Cold War, Arab Spring
Universal Declaration of Rights

15. International Implications
“Wasn’t it the best minds of your country, who wrote your famous Declaration of Independence, your Bill of Rights, and your Constitution? … Those great documents … inspire us all, they inspire us despite the fact that they are over 200 years old. They inspire us to be citizens.” Vaclav Havel, then president of Czechoslovakia 1995

16. It is meant to be read aloud
Reading the Declaration of Independence

17. John Adams
If we have time, McCullough’s John Adams: “Join or Die”; “Independence”

18. Homework – Due 9/13/2012
Memorize part of the Preamble of the Declaration of Independence. From:
“We hold these truths to be self evident” to
“…it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government and to provide new guards for their future security”