THE DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE  document in American history used by the 13 British North American colonies to proclaim their independence from Great Britain.  The Declaration of Independence was adopted in final form on July 4,  divided into three : the rights of man and the legitimacy of revolution, a list of specific grievances against England’s King George III, and a formal claim of independence.  contact:  document in American history used by the 13 British North American colonies to proclaim their independence from Great Britain.  The Declaration of Independence was adopted in final form on July 4,  divided into three : the rights of man and the legitimacy of revolution, a list of specific grievances against England’s King George III, and a formal claim of independence.  contact:

British colonial control  A number of events led to the Declaration of Independence. The British-American triumph in the French and Indian War ( ) was particularly significant.  caused France to lose its North American empire, but also led to changes in Britain’s relationship with its own colonies.  After the war, the British government decided to reorganize its overseas empire. The country was heavily in debt because of war expenses.  contact:  A number of events led to the Declaration of Independence. The British-American triumph in the French and Indian War ( ) was particularly significant.  caused France to lose its North American empire, but also led to changes in Britain’s relationship with its own colonies.  After the war, the British government decided to reorganize its overseas empire. The country was heavily in debt because of war expenses.  contact:

British government taxe levy  The British government decided to maintain a 10,000-man army to protect the colonies from Native Americans and new French threat.  Parliament ordered taxes to be levied on imports, and passed the Sugar Act in 1764 ) and the Stamp Act in 1765 to raise revenue in the colonies. to pay for one-half of this army.  contact:  The British government decided to maintain a 10,000-man army to protect the colonies from Native Americans and new French threat.  Parliament ordered taxes to be levied on imports, and passed the Sugar Act in 1764 ) and the Stamp Act in 1765 to raise revenue in the colonies. to pay for one-half of this army.  contact:

Early colonial Resistance  Colonial Americans viewed the measures quite differently. Some colonists objected to the unaccustomed British enforcement of customs collections.  But the Stamp Act led to the most serious resistance.  American protestors objected to the fact that Parliament, which contained no colonial representation, had passed a tax on the colonists to raise revenue.  contact:  Colonial Americans viewed the measures quite differently. Some colonists objected to the unaccustomed British enforcement of customs collections.  But the Stamp Act led to the most serious resistance.  American protestors objected to the fact that Parliament, which contained no colonial representation, had passed a tax on the colonists to raise revenue.  contact:

Patriotic organizations  Angry colonists formed patriotic organizations called the Sons of Liberty and encouraged Americans to resist the tax by whatever means necessary.  A Stamp Act Congress met in New York City to discuss colonial grievances and petition the king and Parliament to withdraw the tax.  The Americans also disagreed with the British over the concept of representation. contact:  Angry colonists formed patriotic organizations called the Sons of Liberty and encouraged Americans to resist the tax by whatever means necessary.  A Stamp Act Congress met in New York City to discuss colonial grievances and petition the king and Parliament to withdraw the tax.  The Americans also disagreed with the British over the concept of representation. contact:

TAXES ON TEA  The Stamp Act controversy set the pattern for future conflict over imperial policy. In 1767 Great Britain passed the Townshend Acts, which placed duties on a variety of items imported by the colonies.  Once again the colonists formed committees, arranged a boycott, and pressured Parliament to repeal the acts. Rising tensions also led to the Boston Massacre.  On December 16, 1773, an organized mob in Boston dumped East India Company tea into the harbor in what has become known as the Boston Tea Party. contact:  The Stamp Act controversy set the pattern for future conflict over imperial policy. In 1767 Great Britain passed the Townshend Acts, which placed duties on a variety of items imported by the colonies.  Once again the colonists formed committees, arranged a boycott, and pressured Parliament to repeal the acts. Rising tensions also led to the Boston Massacre.  On December 16, 1773, an organized mob in Boston dumped East India Company tea into the harbor in what has become known as the Boston Tea Party. contact:

Independence Resolution  On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee, a representative from Virginia, proposed 'that the united colonies ought to be free and independent States.  The measure sought to end America’s allegiance to the Crown and political connection with Great Britain.  A committee to draft a formal statement of independence was appointed;Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston.  contact:  On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee, a representative from Virginia, proposed 'that the united colonies ought to be free and independent States.  The measure sought to end America’s allegiance to the Crown and political connection with Great Britain.  A committee to draft a formal statement of independence was appointed;Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston.  contact:

JEFFERSON’S DECLARATION  The task of drafting the declaration fell to Jefferson, who was known for his powerful writing style. Jefferson divided the document into three major parts.  Benjamin Franklin and John Adams made some adjustments to Jefferson’s draft before the committee submitted it to the Continental Congress on June 28,  Representatives officially voted for independence on July 2,  contact:  The task of drafting the declaration fell to Jefferson, who was known for his powerful writing style. Jefferson divided the document into three major parts.  Benjamin Franklin and John Adams made some adjustments to Jefferson’s draft before the committee submitted it to the Continental Congress on June 28,  Representatives officially voted for independence on July 2,  contact: