The Declaration of Independence
Fun Facts Documents purpose was to announce the colonies were free from Britain Committee for Five meet to write the document Mainly written by Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776 Many re-writes by the Second Continental Congress Slavery Wording finally approved on July 4, 1776 Singed by August 2, 1776 John Hancock President of the Second Continental Congress Largest signature – right in the middle
The Assembly Room, in which the United States Declaration of Independence and Constitution were drafted and signed, at Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Causes of Second Continental Congress King George rejected Olive Branch Petition Thomas Paine writes “Common Sense”
Ideas in Philosophy (ideas) of government List of Grievances Took ideas from other thinkers of the day John Locke List of Grievances Asking for support From country men From other countries
Results of Colonist now must fight to get independence For eight years People must choose sides Loyalist (1/3) Patriot (1/3) Did not care (1/3)
All men are created equal All = white male Created = born Equal = same All men are equal no matter what class they are in Lower class = upper class All men have an equal claim to basic human rights Why it was revolutionary at the time: Against (opposite) the idea of class societies Upper class better then lower class people Does not include women and slaves and Native Americans
Endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights Endowed = given by Creator = god Unalienable = cannot be taken away This says that common man and ruling class have rights Rights given to them by God not by a king Why it was revolutionary at the time: At this time the ruling class did not believe that ordinary man had rights In colonial life you were valued by what you accomplished not buy what class you were born into
That to secure these rights governments are instituted amount men Secure = protect Instituted = created Governments were formed for the people, to assist the people in obtaining their rights Protect rights was the purpose of government Why it was revolutionary at the time: Opposite (against) of what rulers thought the purpose of government was Rulers thought the people were there to serve them
Deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed Deriving = getting from Consent = approval Governed = the people Government only has the power given to it by the people Notice the word “just” Why? Swipe at King George III for his unjust laws Why it was revolutionary at the time: The king thought he got his power from God Divine rights of king
Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it. Form = type Destructive = to destroy, to end Alter = change Abolish = get rid of Justification for the revolution The King has ended our rights It is not doing its job We can get rid of it Why it was revolutionary at the time: No one had dare to stand up against a king at this time
The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Your rights…… The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.