Declaration of Independence

1.The _________________________ approved the Declaration of Independence. 2.The decision to write the Declaration of Independence was made after the congress approved a motion made by ___________________ for the colonies to declare the __________ and _______________ of the 13 American colonies from England. 3.The Declaration of Independence was designed to influence _______________, and gain support among the ____________ and ________--especially _________ from which the new “United States” sought _____________________. 2 nd Continental Congress Richard Henry Lee freedom Independence Public opinion New statesabroad France Militaryassistance

Declaration of Independence 4.What five men comprised the committee responsible for writing the Declaration of Independence? A.Benjamin Franklin B.John Adams C.Thomas Jefferson D.Roger Sherman E.Robert B. Livingston 5.The Declaration of Independence was primarily the work of ________________. Thomas Jefferson

Declaration of Independence 6.Thomas Jefferson drew ideas from the French and English _____________ and the English philosopher __________. 7.John Locke believed that government was a ______________ between the governed and those governing. 8.Jefferson said that England had a __________ government and that it repeatedly violated ____________. Enlightenment John Locke Social Contract tyrannical Natural laws

Declaration of Independence 9.Two sections of this document were “outright rejected”. They were: A.A derogatory reference to the English people B.A passionate denunciation of the slave trade 10.The Declaration was approved on ___________ and was formally signed on _______________. July 4, 1776 August 2, 1776

Declaration of Independence 11.The Declaration has 4 parts. 12.The 4 parts of the Declaration of Independence: A.The Preamble explains why the Declaration of Independence was written. 1)According to the Preamble, the Laws of Nature require that the colonists “should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” B.The Declaration of Natural Rights lists the rights of citizens and explains that people form a government to protect their rights. In the section titled 1)“Declaration of natural rights”, human beings were guaranteed certain unalienable and basic rights. Among these were Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Declaration of Independence C.The List of Grievances lists the colonists’27 complaints against the king and singled out King George III for blame. D.The final section, Resolution of Independence by the United States, declares that the colonies are free and Independent states. 1)The final section of the constitution, the Declaration states that as free and independent states, they have the power to make war, form alliances and trade with other countries.

13. Explain in your own words the following quotes taken from the Declaration of Independence.

a. “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 …Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” It is obvious that all men are the same (equal) and have certain rights that cannot be taken away

b. “governments are instituted by men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed” Men create governments and the government receives its power from the people they govern by protecting their rights. (Social Contract theory)

c. “That whenever government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it” When a government stops protecting the rights of citizens, the people have the right to change their government