Its purpose was to justify the Revolution, state that the colonies were independent and to express the nation’s principles On July 4 th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was voted on and accepted by the Second Continental Congress. Signing the Declaration was considered treason to Britain. The Declaration of Independence marked the moment when Americans chose to rule themselves.

The Preamble is similar to an introduction. It states why the Declaration is being written – to explain why the colonies must break away from Britain. © Erin Kathryn 2014

The 2nd part of the declaration states why people have rights that cannot be taken away. It states all people are equal, and have the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness unalienable rights

What are the unalienable rights written in the D.O.I.?

The third section of the Declaration of Independence is the longest section. It states all the grievances that the colonists had against the king.

Why did Colonist from the 13 colonies decide to write the declaration of independence?

The fourth section argues that colonies have to be free to protect their rights. It states the colonists’ independence from Britain.

The last section is at the bottom of the Declaration of Independence. In this section, delegates to Congress signed their names. John Hancock, who was the president of Congress, signed his name in large letters.

Delaware George Read Caesar Rodney Thomas McKean Pennsylvania George Clymer Benjamin Franklin Robert Morris John Morton Benjamin Rush George Ross James Smith James Wilson George Taylor Massachusetts John Adams Samuel Adams John Hancock Robert Treat Paine Elbridge Gerry New Hampshire Josiah Bartlett William Whipple Matthew Thornton New Hampshire Josiah Bartlett William Whipple Matthew Thornton Rhode Island Stephen Hopkins William Ellery

New York Lewis Morris Philip Livingston Francis Lewis William Floyd Virginia Richard Henry Lee Francis Lightfoot Lee Carrter Braxton Benjamin Harrison Thomas Jefferson George Wythe Thomas Nelson, Jr. Georgia Button Gwinnett Lyman Hall George Walton South Carolina Edward Rutledge Arthur Middleton Thomas Lynch, Jr. Thomas Heyward, Jr. North Carolina William Hooper John Penn Joseph Hewes New Jersey Abraham Clark John Hart Francis Hopkinson Richard Stockton John Witherspoon

Connecticut Samuel Huntington Roger Sherman William Williams Oliver Wolcott Maryland Charles Carroll Samuel Chase Thomas Stone William Paca

What are all the components of the D.O.I. and their purpose?

Students will write a declaration for their class using the grievances discussed in previous class. The complaints should focus on the treatment of young people at school or by adults in general.

Follow the format of the real Declaration of Independence Preamble: Small introduction -Why have you finally decided to complain? - Explain your need for independence. Statement of Beliefs: Rationale behind their grievances -What beliefs do you have that are being unjustly ignored? -Why should things be changed? List of Grievances or Complaints: What events or actions inspired your complaints? Why are your complaints worthwhile? What should the audience know about your complaints? Colonial Attempts to Redress Grievances: Have you made attempts to remedy your situation? How? Were your attempts handled by the right people? How? Formal Declaration of Independence: What are you declaring independence from? Signatures: Who will sign your declaration? What are the risks involved in signing this declaration?