The Declaration of Independence

Second Continental Congress June 1776 Committee created to write a document declaring the colonies independence John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman Declaration of Independence announced a formal break with England

Jefferson’s Arguments 1. All men are created equal and possess unalienable rights. The rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. 2. King George III had violated these rights by passing unfair laws and interfering with colonial governments (taxing) 3. Government and rulers must protect the rights of its citizens. The King had broken this social contract and so they have a right to break away

July 4th! July 4, 1776 Congress approved the Declaration Broke all ties to England

Choosing Sides Patriots-chose to fight for independence Loyalists, also called Tories-remained loyal to England

Traitors? All the men who signed were considered traitors to England and could be put to death John Hancock signed his name the biggest, so King George wouldn’t have to put his glasses on to read it.

Did the Declaration include all? Ignored women Abigail Adams tried to influence her husband (John Adams) to include women Ignored slaves Slavery was legal in the colonies

Questions Who was the main author? What were the 3 main ideas of the document? What basic idea about people and government does the Declaration have? What did the authors hope to achieve by writing it?

Go through the Declaration of Independence and create a bubble map of any words or phrases that stand out to you.