American Ideals – copy excerpt into your notebook on the Left side 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.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

Essential Question: Have Americans lived up to the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence? Be prepared to write an answer to this question!!!

“all men are created equal” On the Left Side of your notebook answer these questions: What did Jefferson mean by this statement? Who was not represented by this phrase? What was Jefferson's intended purpose for the phrase? On the Right Side of your notebook paste the chart and highlight the excerpts in the same colors

Equality The ideal situation in which all people are treated the same and valued equality

Rights Powers or privileges granted to people either by an agreement among themselves or by law

Liberty Liberty can mean different things: Political freedom Civil liberty Moral and religious freedom The opposite of slavery

Opportunity The chance for people to pursue their hopes and dreams

democracy A system of government based on the consent of the governed