Dee Ann Owens

Imagine- You are an adult and live in your own apartment in your mother’s house… 1. She takes half of your paycheck every week 2. She tells you where you are allowed to spend the rest of it. 3. She tells you where you are allowed to go on weekends. 4. She sleeps in your apartment whenever she feels like it. What do you do? Remain silent, try to talk to her, or just move out. If you try to talk to her, what would you say?

Essential QuestionsEssential Questions  Why did the colonies want independence?  Why was the document written?  How did Jefferson organize the DOI as a persuasive document?  How was the document received by the colonists and the world?

Founding Fathers – The Declaration Committee by John Buxton The Declaration CommitteeThe Declaration Committee  Committee appointed to draft declaration included  John Adams  Benjamin Franklin  Thomas Jefferson  Roger Sherman  Robert Livingston

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson  Chosen to be the author  Considered incredibly eloquent writer  Earlier writings too radical for most Americans

First Draft of Declaration  Took Jefferson two weeks to write  Slavery mentioned and later removed from the document

Delegates ApprovalDelegates Approval “free and independent states.”  On July 2, 1776, the 2 nd Continental Congress voted unanimously that the 13 colonies were “free and independent states.” Declaration of Independence  On July 4, 1776, delegates signed the Declaration of Independence.

Signatures  56 men signed the document.  Oldest signer was Benjamin Franklin (70)  The youngest was Edward Rutledge (26)  Most famous was John Hancock.

"Reading the Declaration of Independence from the East Balcony of the Old State House, Boston, Mass. July 18, 1776." Keywords: Revolutionary War Credit: National Archives and Records Administration Public Reading  Well accepted in the colonies  People gathered in public squares to read it or hear it read  Very little impact around the world

Parts of the DeclarationParts of the Declaration  Preamble & Statement of Human Rights  Indictments against the King and Parliament  28 Counts  Statement of Separation

Preamble When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another…

Statement of Human Rights 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.

Charges Against the King and Parliament  List of 28 complaints  Complaints included:  Cutting off trade  Imposing taxes without consent  Depriving colonists of Trial by Jury  Keeping Standing Armies without consent of legislatures

Statement of SeparationStatement of Separation  Colonies are United.  All connections with Great Britain are dissolved.  States have power and authority to:  levy war  conclude peace and contract alliances  establish commerce

Part I Declaration of Independence Preamble & Statement of Human Rights: “ 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, ….” 1. What are the 3 basic rights listed in the Declaration of Independence?

Part I Declaration of Independence Preamble: “…. that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; ….” 2. According to the passage, where do governments receive their powers?

Part I Declaration of Independence Preamble: “….that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it and to institute a new form of government.” 3. If the government fails to achieve its purpose what is the consequence?

Part II Declaration of Independence “HE has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly…” “HE has kept among us, in time of peace, standing armies…” “For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us…” “For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world…” “For imposing taxes on us without our consent…” 1. Who is “HE”?

Part II Declaration of Independence “HE has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly…” “HE has kept among us, in time of peace, standing armies…” “For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us…” “For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world…” “For imposing taxes on us without our consent…” 2. Are these grievances true? Give some examples.

Part II Declaration of Independence “HE has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly…” “HE has kept among us, in time of peace, standing armies…” “For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us…” “For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world…” “For imposing taxes on us without our consent…” 3. Why would Jefferson include these statements in the Declaration of Independence?

Part II Declaration of Independence “HE has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly…” “HE has kept among us, in time of peace, standing armies…” “For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us…” “For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world…” “For imposing taxes on us without our consent…” 4. In your opinion, which grievance was the worst? Give your reason why.

Part III Declaration of Independence  Statement of Separation “We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do in the Name, and by 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; ….” 1. Who do you think that the Supreme Judge of the world is?

Part III Declaration of Independence  Statement of Separation “…. 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; ….” 2. What kind of relationship did the soon-to-be former colonies foresee with Great Britain?

Part III Declaration of Independence  Statement of Separation “…. and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right to do. ---” 3. What powers does the DOI contend that these free and independent states should have?

Part III Declaration of Independence  Statement of Separation “--- And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” 4. What do the signers pledge in support of the DOI?

 The Declaration of Independence has three parts. To Use with Your Elementary & Middle School Students

The first part says that people who separate from other people should tell why they must do so.

This part also gives important ideas in American government. It says that

 All men are created equal =

 All men have rights that cannot be taken away by another person

 Among these rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

 Government gets its power from the consent of the governed

 Government should protect the safety and happiness of everyone

 If a government disregards the rights of the people for a long time and will not change, the people have a duty to form a new government

The second part of the Declaration of Independence is the longest. It lists many bad things King George III has done to the American people.

The third part--the actual declaration--says the colonies have decided to be independent.

 They are free to make war and peace

 They can form alliances with other countries

 They can trade with other countries

 They can do everything that an independent country can do.

Declaration ResourcesDeclaration Resources  Visit American Memory Collection:   Visit Library of Congress Top Treasures.   Visit Signers Fact Sheet courtesy of National Archives.  e/declaration_signers_gallery.html e/declaration_signers_gallery.html

Dee Ann Owens