1. Why study social studies?
Possible Answers?

2. Interesting
Relevent
Enjoyable
Participate in the world
Make informed and reasoned decisions

3. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. – That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
What is this quote from?

4. Answer: The Declaration of Independence, 1776
New Nation based on ideals – a principle or standard of perfection that we are always trying to achieve
Ideals are still being debated today
5 Ideals – Equality, Rights, Liberty, Opportunity, Democracy
What do these words mean to you?

5. EQUALITY “ All men are created equal.”
Definition - all people are treated the same and valued equally
1776: People left England to escape religious persecution but some people held slaves and women were treated unequally

6. RIGHTS
“They are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.”
Definition – Powers or privileges granted to people either by an agreement among themselves or by law
1776: Jefferson wanted universal rights to all mankind.

7. LIBERTY
“That among these rights are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Definition – Liberty can mean many things such as political and personal freedom
1776: Americans fought for freedom from Great Britain, however they also owned slaves.

8. OPPORTUNITY
“that among these rights are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Definition – The chance for people to pursue their hopes and dreams
1776: Opportunity encouraged new settlers to come to America

9. DEMOCRACY
“…That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
Definition – A system of government based on the consent of the PEOPLE
1776:Americans chose democracy as their new form of government, but they struggled who would speak for the people.

10. How will you be different?
The 5 IDEALS
Each generation has struggled with these ideas.
How will you be different?