“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, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Influences: Where did these ideas come from? Legacy: Where did they go forward from 1776?

The Greeks and Romans- Rule by the people The Greeks developed democracy – rule by the people. The Romans developed “representative democracy,” also called republic.

Greeks and Romans “Our government favors the many instead of the few; this is why it is called a democracy. If we look to the laws, they afford equal justice to all.” - Thucydides, Athens, 429 BC

Thomas Jefferson studied the Greeks and Romans.

John Locke – “All men are created equal.”

John Locke – "Being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions"

Divine Right of Kings - European kings did not believe that all men are created equal.

“ Kings were the authors and makers of the laws, and not the laws of the kings... the King is master over every person having power over the life and death of every one.” King James I

This puzzle piece does not fit in the puzzle - America does not have a king!

English Bill of Rights English citizens said that they had rights that the king could not over step.

English Bill of Rights- The king does not have more power than the law.

English Bill of Rights - English people, “do claim, demand and insist upon... their undoubted rights and liberties.”

English system of Lords and Ladies – People who were born into certain families had special privileges.

America would never have a noble class. America's founding fathers felt so strongly about this that it was written into the Constitution.

English system of Lords and Ladies This puzzle piece does not fit in the puzzle because America does not have royalty.

Thomas Jefferson studied all of these ideas and more. “Self-evident” means that everyone can see that these things are true.

“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, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

This sentence goes forth from this point to inspire the speakers in the bottom half of the hour glass and many other people who speak for human rights.

French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

Marquis de Lafayette, friend of Jefferson. Liberty! Equality! Fraternity!

France - Declaration of the rights of men. "Men are born and remain free and equal in rights.”

Abraham Lincoln loved the Declaration of Independence and stated that it influenced all his political beliefs.

Abraham Lincoln was president in a time when America began to realize that equality for all men meant equality for African Americans. What part of ALL MEN did you not understand?

Abraham Lincoln – The Declaration of Independence... gave liberty not alone to the people of this country, but hope to all the world, for all future time.

Susan B. Anthony - was arrested for voting in an election when women were not allowed to vote.

All men AND WOMEN are created equal!

Susan B. Anthony – “All men and women are created equal.”

Eleanor Roosevelt The Universal Declaration of Human Rights United Nations Universal means for everyone everywhere.

"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights..." Eleanor Roosevelt – The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

Many modern nations have a Declaration of Independence.

With the Declaration of Independence, our founders hoped the world would recognize a new nation. Do you think they could possibly see how it would make such a difference for individuals all over the world? Do you think folks will pay attention?

Photo and Images: We hold these truths to be self evident Parthenon Thomas Jefferson John Locke: virginiamemory.com King James English Bill of Rights: _1689_(top).jpg _1689_(top).jpg Lords and Ladies picture: kidspast.com Jefferson:

French Declaration of the Rights of Man: Lafayette: Abraham Lincoln: Susan B. Anthony: b-anthony.jpghttp://tcuwomensnetwork.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/brown_susan- b-anthony.jpg Eleanor Roosevelt: Rights.pnghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d4/EleanorRooseveltHuman Rights.png Dr. Martin Luther Ling, Jr.: 04-dr-martin-luther-king-jr.jpghttp://kellylowenstein.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/ dr-martin-luther-king-jr.jpg Signers of the Declaration of Independence: Declaration of Independence: ence.jpg ence.jpg

This presentation prepared by Jeanette E. Curtis for March 2010