Declaration of Independence

Writing the Declaration of Independence At the 2nd Continental Congress the colonists appointed a committee to write the Declaration of Independence to officially announce they were no longer part of Britain Thomas Jefferson was the main author The document has 4 parts Ideals (opinions) Arguments (reasons why) Complaints (what the British had done) Conclusion (they could no longer be part of Britain)

Preamble of the Declaration of Independence When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. What does this mean? Sometimes one party has to leave the group to take back the rights they are given by God. The laws of society say they should declare the reasons why they want to separate.

Principles and Ideals Equality Popular sovereignty Natural Rights “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal Popular sovereignty “Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed Government gets its power from the people Natural Rights “they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”

Arguments for independence The rights of citizens are based on natural (God’s) law and no government can take it away If government violates natural law the people have the right to abolish (change) it The colonists had agreed to be governed by the king as long as he protected them

More arguments for independence The colonists did NOT have an agreement with Parliament so they could not tax them The king violated their agreement and their rights so the colonists no longer had to be governed by him

Complaints against the King Trying to destroy colonial legislatures 2. Refusing to give power to courts in the colonies 3. Requiring “quartering” (housing) of British soldiers in colonists’ homes 4. Imposing taxes without consent (permission) 5. Cutting off trade between the colonies and the rest of the world 6. Denying colonists the right to trial by jury

2nd Continental Congress Conclusions The colonies are “free and independent states” They are absolved [free] from all allegiance [loyalty] to the British Crown The colonies have full power to Levy war Conclude peace Contract (make) alliances Establish commerce (business) Do anything that independent nations may do

Enlightenment ideas in the Revolution John Locke All people are born with the natural rights of life, liberty, and property Thomas Hobbes all political power must be representative and based on the will of the people Jean Jacques Rousseau Government is based on a social contract between the people who agree to be governed If government fails to protect the people it should be overthrown

Colonial Views on Independence People who were loyal to the king were called Loyalists or Tories They were often wealthy or large landowners They did not think separating from the British was the answer to the high taxes and limits on freedom People who wanted independence were called Patriots