1. The Declaration of Independence

2. Let’s Review! What is mercantilism?
What was the impact of the French & Indian War?
Name two ways the Colonists “protested” the Acts. (Think Stamp Act & Tea Act)
What “letter” did the First Continental Congress draft?
What is significant about “Lexington and Concord”
What is “Common Sense”?

3. Today’s Goal
Explain the origin of the Declaration of Independence as well as summarize and interpret this as a important founding document in American history.
Where did the idea to “declare independence” come from? How did this document originate?
How comfortable do you feel with your understanding of the origin of the Declaration of Independence?

4. The Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson was the main author of the Declaration, though he received some help from other notable Americans.
The initial document was presented….
86 Changes were made in 1 day!
Nearly 1/5 of the document was eliminated
Leaving 1,337 powerful words

5. What Was at Risk?
The Second Continental Congress decided that the DOI was needed and approved the document after revisions were made.
56 Signers (at least one from each of the 13 colonies) were in attendance
By signing their name to the document, each man was committing an act of treason against the crown.
“We must indeed all hang together,
or most assuredly, we shall all
hang separately.”
- Benjamin Franklin

6. Who Were the Risktakers?
Jefferson, Franklin, Hancock, and Adams are well known – but many of the other men have compelling stories as well… Franklin was the oldest, eighteen were under 40, three were in their 20s, half were lawyers, 9 were landowners, 11 were merchants, the rest were doctors, ministers, & politicians…

7. What Did They Have to Lose?

8. Their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor
But Above All Else…
These 56 signers risked the ultimate…
Their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor

9. The Signers of the Declaration
The signers, as representatives of the American people, declared American Independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776!!!!
(Most members actually signed on August 2 though)
Was this treasonous? Why or Why not?

10. Food for Thought… Why is this statement significant?
“My hand trembles, but my heart does not.”
- Stephen Hopkins

12. Why is this Significant?
The Title says…
The unanimous Declaration of the united States of America

13. Declaration of Independence
There are four major components of the DOI:
Introduction
Rights of the People (Natural Rights)
Complaints of the Colonists (Grievances)
Declaration of a new Nation – the united States

14. Parts of the Declaration
The Colonists were tired of the how they were being treated by the British – they were IRCD (annoyed)
I – introduction
R – rights of the people
C – complaints against the king
D – declaration of a new nation

15. Introduction
Explains why the Continental Congress drew up the Declaration
“When in the Course of Human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another……………. a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation…”

16. Rights
The second part of the Declaration lists the natural rights of the citizens.
It explains that in a republic, people form a government to protect their rights. LET’S ANALYZE THIS!
“We hold these truths to be self-evident (clearly true), that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable (inalienable) rights (Cannot be taken away), 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! (permission of the people)…
that 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.
(Social contract = natural rights + the role of the government) According to this, what is the relationship between natural rights and the role of the government?

17. Complaints
Lists the colonists grievances against the British government
Who is singled out?
Examples- WRITE THESE DOWN
He refused assent to laws (laws written by the Colonies)
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without Consent of our legislature (quartering soldiers)
He…has imposed taxes on us without our consent
He has taken away our right to a trial by jury
He has limited our judicial powers
He has dissolved our legislatures
Overall the colonists were oppressed (unjust treatment) by the tyranny of the King.
What is the connection between these grievances and natural rights?

18. Part IV of the DoI – “Declaration of a new Nation”
“We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States;…………. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor”
What does this mean????
We were now 13 free and independent “united” States of America……..why the little “u”???

19. Declaration of a New Nation
The final section declares that the colonies are “13 Free and Independent States”. We are the “u”nited States of America
What is significant about that statement?
The states now had the power to wage war, to form alliances and to trade with other nations. Why did we need to unite???? (unite to fight)

20. SHR: Fireworks

21. How Do You Feel? Now that we’ve discussed the DOI…
How confident do you feel about your understanding of IRCD?

22. Now it’s Your Turn!
Acting as a modern day “Thomas Jefferson” – you now have a chance to rewrite the Declaration of Independence.
Let’s take a look at the project instructions.