1. Declaration of Independence

2. What was the Declaration of Independence? The announcement that the Americans would be separate from Great Britain Legal argument written by Thomas Jefferson Defined the United States and what government and society should be

3. Why? Why did the Declaration of Independence come about? Broken promises, disrespect, violating rights, money, and taxation without representation War spread and grew more violent Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense and many people read it: –It convinced many to get independence

4. Goals (Parts) What were the goals of the Declaration of Independence? 1.Ideas about rights and government: what it should be 2.Why they wanted independence: what the king had done wrong 3.Creation of the independent United States of America

5. Importance? Why was the Declaration of Independence important? (How did it help the Americans win?) It made other countries (France) more likely to help America Gave soldiers something to fight for (motivation) Explained what our government should be like Foundation of our beliefs about government and society! * Led many Northern states to outlaw slavery!