1. The Declaration of Independence and Its Signers
What sacrifices did these men make?

2. Objectives
Students will be able to explain the events that led up to the colonies severing ties with Great Britain
Students will understand the main grievances the colonials had with Great Britain
Students will be able to analyze the importance of the Declaration of Independence today

3. Essential Questions
What were four factors that led to the drafting and approval of the Declaration of Independence?
How can the formation of the American government be seen as an illustration of the Enlightenment philosophy?
What were three purposes of the Declaration of Independence?
What were 4 grievances that the American Colonists had against Great Britain in 1776?
How well does America today live up to the ideals of the Declaration of Independence?

4. Background to Declaration of Independence
Mercantilism: economic policy from in which nations encouraged exports as a means of collecting gold and silver
Government controls all trade
Colonies ensured a safe and steady stream of raw materials for England, including fur, fish, cotton, tobacco, and indigo
Colonies were expected to import manufactured and processed goods like iron products and tea
Navigation Act: England regulated what its colonies could and could not trade

5. Background to the Declaration of Independence
After England won the French and Indian War, King George III demanded control over the colonies
King George and Parliament felt the colonists should bear some of the costs and administration of the areas acquired from France.
Parliament passed several new acts designed to shift to the Americans some of the cost of defense

6. Background to the Declaration of Independence
Stamp Act: required that all printed materials be stamped to indicate that tax had been paid
England began to change trade policies as well by used a new monopoly on tea
Colonists were angered over the taxes
“No taxation without representation”
Stamp Act was repealed in 1766
Boston Massacre 1770 rioting over taxes and the British soldiers killed a man outside of the courthouse in Boston. Crispus Attucks first to die

7. Why Did the Declaration of Independence Happen?
Boston Tea Party: a group of angry colonists boarded 3 ships in Boston and threw the tea overboard
Intolerable Acts series of laws designed to punish the people of Massachusetts. It limited the power of the colonial legislature, required quartering of British soldiers and closed the port of Boston
First Continental Congress formed

8. Second Continental Congress 1775-1776
Convened May 19, 1775
George Washington appointed Commander in Chief of the Continental Forces
Appointed 5 men to write a declaration stating the colonies intent and reasons for independence
June delegates met and debated, each colony had one vote
Deliberated for one year
January 1776 Common Sense by Thomas Paine explained why there should be independence to the public

9. Resolution of Differences
Second Continental Congress drafted the Declaration of Independence. Approved for signature July 2
July Declaration written by Thomas Jefferson was signed, John Hancock signed first with the largest signature
Severed ties with Great Britain

10. Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson understood what the actions entailed
Wanted to make sure the document explained why the colonists wanted to separate
The second paragraph lays down the philosophy for the decision.
“All men are equal”
Government was to protect “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” fundamental rights of all
When the government failed to do so, citizens have a right to overthrow it
Overthrow is not for trivial reasons, but when treatment becomes “absolute despotism”

11. Three Basic Principles of the Declaration of Independence
Natural Rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
Popular Sovereignty: People are the source of political authority
Order: Importance of stability, overthrowing a government is only the last resort

12. List of Grievances that were Improper Actions by the King
Dismissing colonial legislatures and denying the colonists their right for self-government
Tax the colonists without their consent
Maintaining an army in the colonies without the consent of the legislature and elevating the military above civilian authority
Forcing colonists to house British soldiers in their house

13. List of Grievances that were Improper Actions by the King
Making judges dependent on the King for their salaries and their tenure in office
Refusing colonists the right to a fair trial in front of a jury of their peers
Cutting off the trade of the colonies
Abolishing the Charters, forms of government, and important laws of the colonies
Refusing to address colonial grievances
Renouncing the King’s authority to govern the colonies by waging war on them
Encouraging domestic violence and Indian attacks on the colonies

14. Results from the Declaration of Independence
86 Changes were made
500 words were taken out
1,337 words were included
18 signers were under the age of 40
Three were in their 20s
Half of the 56 signers were judges and lawyers
11 were merchants
9 were land owners and farmers
12 were doctors, ministers and politicians

15. What do you think some might have been?
Do you think there were consequences for severing ties with Great Britain?
What do you think some might have been?

16. Impact Today
Ideals of equality led to Civil War, Women’s Rights and the Civil Rights Movement
Influenced the French Revolution in their Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen in 1789
Latin American Movements of 1890s
Vietnam War: Ho Chi Minh used it as a reason to invade the south
During World War II it was kept at Fort Knox KY
More than 1 million Americans view it in the National Archives each year

17. Information on the Signers
The following signers lost their lands, homes and possessions due to signing and being in the American Revolution.
Carter Braxton
Abraham Clark: 2 of his sons died in the Revolution, both were prisoners aboard British prison ship, “Jersey” in NY Harbor, 11,000 American captives died on this ship.
George Clymer
William Ellery

18. Information on the Signers (cont.)
The following signers lost their lands, homes and possessions due to signing and being in the American Revolution.
William Floyd
Lyman Hall
John Hart: Lost his wife, 13 children and home
Thomas Heyward
William Hooper

19. Information on the Signers (cont.)
The following signers lost their lands, homes and possessions due to signing and being in the American Revolution.
Francis Lewis: His wife was taken prisoner by the British and died two years after release. His property near Harlem, NY was completely destroyed
Arthur Middleton: Was a British prisoner along with Edward Rutledge and Thomas Heyward and sent to St. Augustine, FL.

20. Information on the Signers (cont.)
The following signers lost their lands, homes and possessions due to signing and being in the American Revolution.
Thomas Nelson: Fired a cannon at his mansion because it was being used by the British and died destitute and bankrupt. He raised $2 million for the Revolution and was never repaid.
Richard Stockton: Beaten and put in jail and starved, ending up an invalid. Lost estate and his family had to live off of charity.

21. Information on the Signers (cont.)
Philip Livingston: All his possessions in NY were confiscated
Louis Morris: All his timber, crops and livestock were taken and barred from his home and family for 7 years
Dr. John Witherspoon: President of College of New Jersey, later Princeton. Princeton was occupied and library burned.

22. Information on the Signers (cont.)
Robert Morris: Merchant in Philadelphia, raised arms and provisions for Washington’s army. He lost 150 ships at sea.
Dr. Benjamin Rush
John Morton: Had views of a Tory prior to signing.
Thomas Lynch, Jr.: Developed health problems while a company commander in the army. He was told to seek a cure in the West Indies and he and his wife were drowned at sea.

23. Information on the Signers (cont.)
Of the 56, nine died of wounds or hardships during the war
5 were captured and imprisoned, all brutally treated
12 saw their homes burned
17 lost everything they owned
Not one went back on their word
All stood by the Declaration of Independence

24. Results from the Declaration of Independence
Most of them had large estates, all but two had families
Each had more to lose from revolution than gain
John Hancock already had a price on him and had the largest signature to ensure the King could read it