Declaration of Independence 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

What led to it? Believe me, dear Sir: there is not in the British empire a man who more cordially loves a union with Great Britain than I do. But, by the God that made me, I will cease to exist before I yield to a connection on such terms as the British Parliament propose; and in this, I think I speak the sentiments of America. —Thomas Jefferson, November 29, 1775

Was it too late for the Crown to apologize? Too Late to Apologize https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZfRaWAtBVg

What led to it? 1763 - 7 year war ended 1765 – Stamp & Quartering Act (1774) 1767 - Townshend Acts $$ TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION! 1774 - Coercive Acts/ Intolerable/ Quartering II 1774 1774 - 1st Continental Congress 4/ 1775 Revolutionary War begins 1775-1781 – 2nd Continental Congress

Declarations of Independence! Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense:” Argued for colonial independence (1/1776) stimulated debate.

Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson authored. 13 colonies at war w/ GB now independent 1 year+ after start of Rev War Voted 7/2/1776 Adopted by Continental Congress 7/4, 1776 Signed +/- 8/2, 1776 Housed in National Archives

Declaration of Independence Page 306 Go around your table – each person state one significant phrase from the Declaration and what it means.

Content of the Declaration of Independence Asserts natural rights (LLP!!!) Right to Revolution List of grievances against King George III

Who signed it? Men of means & education 25 lawyers/ jurists 11 merchants 9 farmers/ large plantation owners 1 teacher, musician, printer

Who Signed? 56 delegates eventually signed including: John Hancock Sam Adams John Adams Benjamin Franklin

What did they risk? EVERYTHING! Enormous sacrifice Instantly became traitors to Crown Could be captured, tortured as traitors; Families at risk; Some died from wounds/ hardships from Revolutionary War; Some had homes pillaged & burned

Now In groups of 2 or 3; in the hallway, Wulf Den, 116 … you choose; take turns reading the entire Declaration of Independence. Please stop and discuss the meaning at the end of each paragraph, or in the case of the 2nd paragraph and the end of each long sentence.

What Does the Declaration of Independence Represent? Rights of Individuals: “they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness …” Purpose of Government: “that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men…” Popular Sovereignty “deriving their powers from consent of the governed” Rights of marginalized “all men created equal” Moral Standard/ Framework for US Lincoln’s political philosophy

International Implications “An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come.” Victor Hugo Inspired 1789 French Revolution, 1989 Tiananmen Square Aftermath of the Cold War, Arab Spring Universal Declaration of Rights

International Implications “Wasn’t it the best minds of your country, who wrote your famous Declaration of Independence, your Bill of Rights, and your Constitution? … Those great documents … inspire us all, they inspire us despite the fact that they are over 200 years old. They inspire us to be citizens.” Vaclav Havel, then president of Czechoslovakia 1995

It is meant to be read aloud Reading the Declaration of Independence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETroXvRFoKY

John Adams If we have time, McCullough’s John Adams: “Join or Die”; “Independence”

Homework – Due 9/13/2012 Memorize part of the Preamble of the Declaration of Independence. From: “We hold these truths to be self evident” to “…it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government and to provide new guards for their future security”