1. The Declaration of Independence

2. Background to Declaration of Independence
Mercantilism: economic policy from in which nations encouraged exports as a means of collecting gold and silver
Government controls all trade
Colonies ensured a safe and steady stream of raw materials for England, including fur, fish, cotton, tobacco, and indigo
Colonies were expected to import manufactured and processed goods like iron products and tea
Navigation Act: England regulated what its colonies could and could not trade

3. Background to the Declaration of Independence
After England won the French and Indian War, King George III demanded control over the colonies
King George and Parliament felt the colonists should bear some of the costs and administration of the areas acquired from France.
Parliament passed several new acts designed to shift to the Americans some of the cost of defense

4. Background to the Declaration of Independence
Stamp Act: required that all printed materials be stamped to indicate that tax had been paid
England began to change trade policies as well by used a new monopoly on tea
Colonists were angered over the taxes
“No taxation without representation”
Stamp Act was repealed in 1766
Boston Massacre 1770 rioting over taxes and the British soldiers killed a man outside of the courthouse in Boston. Crispus Attucks first to die

5. Why Did the Declaration of Independence Happen?
Boston Tea Party: a group of angry colonists boarded 3 ships in Boston and threw the tea overboard
Intolerable Acts series of laws designed to punish the people of Massachusetts. It limited the power of the colonial legislature, required quartering of British soldiers and closed the port of Boston
First Continental Congress formed

6. Second Continental Congress 1775-1776
Convened May 19, 1775
George Washington appointed Commander in Chief of the Continental Forces
Appointed 5 men to write a declaration stating the colonies intent and reasons for independence
June delegates met and debated, each colony had one vote
Deliberated for one year
January 1776 Common Sense by Thomas Paine explained why there should be independence to the public

7. Resolution of Differences
Second Continental Congress drafted the Declaration of Independence. Approved for signature July 2
July Declaration written by Thomas Jefferson was signed, John Hancock signed first with the largest signature
Severed ties with Great Britain

8. Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson understood what the actions entailed
Wanted to make sure the document explained why the colonists wanted to separate
The second paragraph lays down the philosophy for the decision.
“All men are equal”
Government was to protect “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” fundamental rights of all
When the government failed to do so, citizens have a right to overthrow it
Overthrow is not for trivial reasons, but when treatment becomes “absolute despotism”

9. Three Basic Principles of the Declaration of Independence
Natural Rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
Popular Sovereignty: People are the source of political authority
Order: Importance of stability, overthrowing a government is only the last resort

10. List of Grievances that were Improper Actions by the King
Dismissing colonial legislatures and denying the colonists their right for self-government
Tax the colonists without their consent
Maintaining an army in the colonies without the consent of the legislature and elevating the military above civilian authority
Forcing colonists to house British soldiers in their house

11. List of Grievances that were Improper Actions by the King
Making judges dependent on the King for their salaries and their tenure in office
Refusing colonists the right to a fair trial in front of a jury of their peers
Cutting off the trade of the colonies
Abolishing the Charters, forms of government, and important laws of the colonies
Refusing to address colonial grievances
Renouncing the King’s authority to govern the colonies by waging war on them
Encouraging domestic violence and Indian attacks on the colonies

12. Results from the Declaration of Independence
86 Changes were made
500 words were taken out
1,337 words were included
18 signers were under the age of 40
Three were in their 20s
Half of the 56 signers were judges and lawyers
11 were merchants
9 were land owners and farmers
12 were doctors, ministers and politicians

13. What do you think some might have been?
Do you think there were consequences for severing ties with Great Britain?
What do you think some might have been?

14. Impact Today
Ideals of equality led to Civil War, Women’s Rights and the Civil Rights Movement
Influenced the French Revolution in their Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen in 1789
Latin American Movements of 1890s
Vietnam War: Ho Chi Minh used it as a reason to invade the south
During World War II it was kept at Fort Knox KY
More than 1 million Americans view it in the National Archives each year