1. The Declaration of Independence

2. Why Do Americans celebrate the 4th of July holiday?
Opener Question
Why Do Americans celebrate the 4th of July holiday?

3. Venn Diagram

4. John Locke
The works of John Locke (1632–1704), well-known English political philosopher, provided many Americans with the philosophical arguments for inalienable natural rights, principally those of property and of rebellion against abusive governments.

5. George Mason
A call for American independence from Britain, the Virginia Declaration of Rights was drafted by George Mason in May 1776 and amended by Thomas Ludwell Lee and the Virginia Convention. Thomas Jefferson drew heavily from it when he drafted the Declaration of Independence one month later. This uniquely influential document was also used by James Madison in drawing up the Bill of Rights (1789).

6. Declaration of Independence Parts
Preamble
Part 1 – Natural Rights of Man
Part 2 – List of Grievances
Part 3 – Announcement of Separation

7. Declaration of Independence Graphic Organizer
Preamble – p. 1
Part 1: Natural Rights of Man – pp. 2-3
Part 2: List of Grievances – pp. 4-10
Part 3: Announcement of Separation – pp

8. Preamble Introduction
The colonists feel that they must explain to the world the reasons why they are separating from Britain.

9. Part One: The Natural Rights of Man
Stresses the rights that belong to all people from birth
“Unalienable rights”= rights that can’t be taken away
Famous Quotes: “All men are created equal”, “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
People set up governments to protect these rights. People can change the government if it isn’t protecting them.

10. Part Two: List of Grievances
A list of the 27 wrongs done to the 13 colonies by the British government
Divided into three sets:
- King’s unjust use of power
- Unjust acts of Parliament
- Warlike acts of the king

11. Part Three – Announcement of Separation
As representatives of the U.S., they declare that they are free and independent states
No longer loyal to the king
The signers promise their “lives, fortunes, and sacred honor.”

12. Declaration of Independence Facts
Committee of Five:
Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Franklin
Robert Livingston
Roger Sherman
John Adams
July 2nd: Voted to be independent
July 4th: Adopted the document (DOI)

13. Abigail Adams and the Declaration of Independence
Why doesn’t the Declaration of Independence address women’s issues discussed in Abigail Adams’s letter?

14. Frederick Douglass
What is Douglass saying concerning African Americans in relation to the Declaration of Independence?