The Declaration of Independence and Its Signers What sacrifices did these men make?

Objectives Students will be able to explain the events that led up to the colonies severing ties with Great Britain Students will understand the main grievances the colonials had with Great Britain Students will be able to analyze the importance of the Declaration of Independence today

Essential Questions What were four factors that led to the drafting and approval of the Declaration of Independence? How can the formation of the American government be seen as an illustration of the Enlightenment philosophy? What were three purposes of the Declaration of Independence? What were 4 grievances that the American Colonists had against Great Britain in 1776? How well does America today live up to the ideals of the Declaration of Independence?

Background to Declaration of Independence Mercantilism: economic policy from 1500-1800 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

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

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by used a new monopoly on tea Colonists were angered over the taxes “No taxation without representation” Stamp Act was repealed in 1766 Boston Massacre 1770 rioting over taxes and the British soldiers killed a man outside of the courthouse in Boston.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

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

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 1775 56 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

Resolution of Differences Second Continental Congress drafted the Declaration of Independence. Approved for signature July 2 July 4 1776 Declaration written by Thomas Jefferson was signed, John Hancock signed first with the largest signature Severed ties with Great Britain

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”

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

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

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

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

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?

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

Information on the Signers The following signers lost their lands, homes and possessions due to signing and being in the American Revolution. Carter Braxton Abraham Clark: 2 of his sons died in the Revolution, both were prisoners aboard British prison ship, “Jersey” in NY Harbor, 11,000 American captives died on this ship. George Clymer William Ellery

Information on the Signers (cont.) The following signers lost their lands, homes and possessions due to signing and being in the American Revolution. William Floyd Lyman Hall John Hart: Lost his wife, 13 children and home Thomas Heyward William Hooper

Information on the Signers (cont.) The following signers lost their lands, homes and possessions due to signing and being in the American Revolution. Francis Lewis: His wife was taken prisoner by the British and died two years after release. His property near Harlem, NY was completely destroyed Arthur Middleton: Was a British prisoner along with Edward Rutledge and Thomas Heyward and sent to St. Augustine, FL.

Information on the Signers (cont.) The following signers lost their lands, homes and possessions due to signing and being in the American Revolution. Thomas Nelson: Fired a cannon at his mansion because it was being used by the British and died destitute and bankrupt. He raised $2 million for the Revolution and was never repaid. Richard Stockton: Beaten and put in jail and starved, ending up an invalid. Lost estate and his family had to live off of charity.

Information on the Signers (cont.) Philip Livingston: All his possessions in NY were confiscated Louis Morris: All his timber, crops and livestock were taken and barred from his home and family for 7 years Dr. John Witherspoon: President of College of New Jersey, later Princeton. Princeton was occupied and library burned.

Information on the Signers (cont.) Robert Morris: Merchant in Philadelphia, raised arms and provisions for Washington’s army. He lost 150 ships at sea. Dr. Benjamin Rush John Morton: Had views of a Tory prior to signing. Thomas Lynch, Jr.: Developed health problems while a company commander in the army. He was told to seek a cure in the West Indies and he and his wife were drowned at sea.

Information on the Signers (cont.) Of the 56, nine died of wounds or hardships during the war 5 were captured and imprisoned, all brutally treated 12 saw their homes burned 17 lost everything they owned Not one went back on their word All stood by the Declaration of Independence

Results from the Declaration of Independence Most of them had large estates, all but two had families Each had more to lose from revolution than gain John Hancock already had a price on him and had the largest signature to ensure the King could read it