1. The Declaration of Independence

2. The Declaration of Independence (DOI) was influenced by a variety of sources
English Bill of Rights
John Locke

3. What did the English Bill of Rights guarantee? How?

4. What concepts was Locke known for?

5. Class Work Partner with one person in the class
In your own words, translate the following two passages

6. Passage One
“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

7. Passage Two
“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,[72] that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it.”

8. Parts of the Constitution
Opening statement
Declares purpose of the document
Preamble
States the principles of the Independence Movement
List of Grievances
Reasons behind the Movement
Two remaining sections
One details the steps taken by the colonies to address the grievances
Also includes Britain’s response
Final Statement of Commitment to the DOI

9. So What? Never before had a colony broken away from the parent nation
First true Declaration of Independence
Independence wasn’t the rule or assumed
Had NEVER been done

10. Declaration Historical Notes
Declaration was not easy to pass
Several factions fighting within the Congress
Required all the colonies to vote unanimously
Why?
Unanimously: All parts together

11. Northern Colonies Southern Colonies
Earliest to feel Britain’s show of force
Boston, MA
Southern Colonies
Wealthy, economy driven by slave labor
Had to protect interests
Other colonies were similarly caught between their traditional and practical ties to Great Britain and their own outrages and interests
An attack on the rights of one colony opened all other colonies up to similar abuse. However, war would be expensive, and against the singular most wealthy and powerful Empire in the world at the time.