1. Highlights: The Declaration of Independence
SS.7.C.1.4
Analyze the ideas (natural rights, role of the government) and complaints set forth in the Declaration of Independence.
Terri Susan Fine, Ph.D.
Content Specialist, Florida Joint Center for Citizenship

2. The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence includes several core principles about the role of government in society, and about the relationship between the people and their government. The Declaration of Independence does not form a government; rather, it provides ideas about how the government should function so that the government avoids abuse of power (tyranny). The Declaration of Independence identifies specific natural rights as unalienable (God given) including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

3. Natural Rights and the Role of Government
Phrase in Declaration Preamble
Meaning
People are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights
Rights are given to individuals because those individuals exist. These rights are given by God and may not be denied to them by any government
Governments are instituted among men to secure these rights
It is the government’s responsibility to create institutions and laws that protect these rights by and for the people
Governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed
Government may use the powers given them by the government because the people have consented (given approval) to being governed by that government.
Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government
The people have the right to change or eliminate a government that fails to protect the people’s natural rights.

4. Colonial Complaints and the Declaration of Independence: Institutional Concerns
Meaning
“He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.”
He “fired” legislatures if those legislatures did not do what he wanted them to do.
“He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.”
He has forbidden laws to be passed that establish judiciary powers.
“He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.”
He has denied judges their independence to make decisions based on case facts and the law alone.

5. Colonial Complaints and the Declaration of Independence: Policy Concerns
Meaning
“He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.”
He has forced persons to house military personnel without the colonial legislatures consenting to such action.
“For imposing taxes on us without our Consent”
He has taxed colonists without the colonists giving their approval to being taxed.
“For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury”
He has denied those accused of crimes jury trials under circumstances that the colonists deemed appropriate.