1. The Declaration of Independence
Edwards, Wattenberg, and Lineberry
Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy
Fourteenth Edition
The Declaration of Independence
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman.

2. Origins of the United States

3. Boston Massacre

4. Boston Tea Party

5. The Intolerable Acts Targeted Massachusetts
Designed to punish and serve as a warning to the other
colonies
Called
Coercive
Acts by
the
British

6. Origins of the Constitution
Road to Revolution
Tax increases after the Seven Years’ War
Stamp Act specifically
No direct representation in parliament.
Continental Congress
formed to address
abuses of the English
Crown

7. Lexington and Concord

8. Origins of the Constitution
Second Continental Congress convened in Philly 10 May 1775 – less than a month after Lexington and Concord
Olive Branch Petition – effort to avoid full scale war
Continental
Congress
continued to
claim loyalty
to Britain

9. Thomas Paine and Common Sense
Colonies need independence,
not improved representation
Origin and Design of Gov’t
Elections right for all gov’ts
Of Monarchy and Succession
Hereditary kings do not represent people
“Of more worth is one honest man to society
and in the sight of God, than all the crowned
ruffians that ever lived.”
Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs
Freedom is the key to the future not improved representation
On the Present Ability of America
Colonies are capable to survive on their own b/c of natural resources and population

10. Origins of the Constitution
Declaring Independence
May and June 1776, Continental Congress debated resolutions for independence
Declaration of Independence – listed the colonists grievances against the
British –adopted on
4 July 1776
Declaration announced
and justified
revolution to the rest
of the world

11. A Closer Look at the Declaration
Influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment
Time in Europe that emphasized reason and individualism
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness…”

12. Origins of the Constitution
Winning Independence
1783, the American colonies prevailed in their war against England.
“Conservative” Revolution
Restored rights the colonists felt they had lost
Not a major change of lifestyles