The Declaration of Independence SOL USI.6

To Declare or Not To Declare ADVANTAGES: Foreign Aid Legitimacy POWs, not spies Colonial unity No more King DISADVANTAGES: Lose support in Britain Leaders are traitors Poorly prepared for war Economic ties with Britain would be cut

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE July 4, 1776 The eventual draft of the Declaration of Independence, authored by Thomas Jefferson, reflected the ideas of Locke and Paine. –“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, 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….” –“That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new government…”

Accusations against the King Shut down representative colonial legislatures Refused to allow self government Assumed judicial powers Conspired against colonists with Native Americans Restricted trade Imposed unfair taxes Coerced American sailors to work on British ships Military attacked Americans Refused to redress grievances

Jefferson went on to detail many of the grievances against the king that Paine had earlier described in Common Sense. This officially broke the colonies away from England and now they fought to preserve their freedom. Each signer of the Declaration had committed the act of treason towards the king.

Thomas Jefferson

Monticello

Declaration of Independence

Rough Draft

Signing of Declaration

Liberty Bell

Declaration of Independence

The ideas expressed in the Declaration of Independence contradicted the realities. –Slavery existed. –There was undemocratic nature of political participation – women and poor could not vote. The key principles of the Declaration of Independence increased political, social, and economic participation in the American experience over time.

Political participation (equality) –Extending the right to vote –Upholding due process of law –Providing free public education Social participation (liberty) –Abolishing slavery –Extending civil rights to women and other groups

Economic participation (pursuit of happiness) –Regulating free enterprise system –Promoting economic opportunity –Protecting property rights.

FQR example On July 2, 1776, after a long and tedious debate, Congress finally voted for independence. The motion passed: twelve states for, none against. Thomas Jefferson, a young Virginia lawyer and planter who enjoyed a reputation as a graceful writer, drafted a formal declaration that was accepted two days later with only minor alterations. Much of the Declaration of Independence consisted of a list of specific grievances against George III and his government.

Fact, Question, Response F: 7/2/1776 was the date that Congress voted for Independence. Q: How did Jefferson feel about the minor alterations made to his document? R: It is surprising that all states voted for independence when the debate about it was so long and tedious.

Declaration of Independence Clip