Bellwork List reasons that colonists originally came to America. Identify reasons that the colonists decide to break away from British rule. *mini-posters due today!

“The Second Day of July 1776 will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America… It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” -John Adams to Abigail Adams, July 3, 1776

Declaring Independence Above is a copy of the resolution, adopted July 2, 1776, in which the Continental Congress affirmed their independence from Great Britain. The words of the resolution (a formal expression of opinion) were originally proposed by Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee and are echoed in the Declaration of Independence.

A Resolution “That these united colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the british crown and that all political connection between them and the state of great Britain is and ought to be totally dissolved.”

Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence, written by 33 year-old Thomas Jefferson, was adopted on July 4, 1776 by the Second Continental Congress. It states the reasons for separating from Great Britain and the principles of government the United State would be built upon.

Committee of Five The momentous decision of the Continental Congress to sever its ties to Great Britain came on July 2, 1776, which is the date that John Adams thought should be celebrated by future generations. A committee of five was appointed with the task of drafting Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston

July 4, 1776 The Declaration of Independence, drafted mostly by Thomas Jefferson, and edited by his colleagues in the Continental Congress, was adopted 2 days later.

Birth Certificate The Declaration was a stirring call to throw off the bonds of tyranny. This revolutionary document expressed an abiding faith in humanity and political ideals to which this nation still aspires. The Declaration of Independence has been called the birth certificate of the United States, and it is its adoption that Americans celebrate each year with fireworks on the Fourth of July.

Bellwork “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…” -Quote from the Declaration of Independence Do you think Thomas Jefferson believed “all men are created equal?” Explain your answer. If you do not believe Jefferson thought all men were created equal, why do you think he would write this?

Rights “…that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable (unable to be taken away) Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness;” 3. Where do these ideas in the Declaration of Independence come from?

Government Power “… that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their power from the consent of the governed;” 4. Who gives the government its power?

New Government “…that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government…” 5. What gives people the right to create a new government?

Changing Governments …”Governments long established should not be change for light and transient causes…” 6. For what reasons should governments NOT be changed?

Efforts “In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms;” 7. What efforts have the colonists made to avoid separation from England?

Formally Declaring Independence “…by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies solemnly publish and declare, that these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be totally dissolved;” Above is the section of the document which officially declares America’s independence from Great Britain.

Powers By declaring independence, they declare the following powers: “…to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce…” 8. Which of the above powers do you believe was the most important at the time? Why?

Pledge The final words of the Declaration of Independence before the signatures states, “…we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” 9. Why was this an important statement in the Declaration of Independence?

Tomorrow: Quiz on the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, Principles of the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Enlightenment ideas included in these documents

Thomas Jefferson PBS video What three reasons did John Adams give for Jefferson to be the author of the Declaration of Independence instead of himself? Where did many of his ideas in the Declaration of Independence come from? What is the great irony with the words he wrote and the life he lived?