1. The Declaration of Independence
“We hold these truths to be self evident; that all men are created equal…”

2. Road to the Independence
Following England’s victory in 1763 in the French & Indian War, the relationship changed between America and Great Britain. England’s parliament began taxing the colonists to pay for the debt from the war.
The parliament would not allow colonists to move beyond the Appalachian Mountains to avoid conflict with Native Americans.

3. Road to the Independence
As tensions rose between the colonists and England, the parliament sent soldiers to patrol American cities.
Events such as the Boston Massacre angered the colonists.
The Intolerable Acts which punished Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party seemed to be the last straw for the colonies.
Thomas Paine’s pamphlet, Common Sense, caused many colonists to desire political freedom from England.
In June of 1776 the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and asked a committee to write a declaration of independence from England.

4. PURPOSE
It announced to Great Britain, and the rest of the world, that the American colonies had to cut their former political ties. It told why Congress thought this drastic step was necessary.
It declared that the American colonies were free and would govern themselves. Of course, they would have to fight the Revolutionary War for this to become a reality.
It was written to persuade colonists still loyal to the King of England to join the fight for independence.

5. Written By: Adopted On: July 4, 1776 Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. He wrote every evening for 17 days. After he was done the committee made some changes to the document, like removing the reference to abolishing slavery.
Adopted On: July 4, 1776

6. What It WAS
A justification for a revolution
Reasons for the break with England
What it WAS NOT
A government!
Did not set up any form of government

8. Based on the ideas of John Locke
Key ideas:
Social Contract Theory
Natural Rights
Consent of the Governed
People have the right of revolution

9. STRUCTURE Section 1-Introduction: Section 2-Beliefs:
“When In the Course of Human Events”
explained the purpose for the document
Section 2-Beliefs:
Justified the revolution
Natural rights
Social Contract theory
consent of the governed
right to revolution
Section 3-Grievances (Complaints):
Things the King has done wrong
Section 4-Conclusion:
We Are Free and Independent

10. INDEPENDENCE HALL, PHILADELPHIA

14. Understanding the Declaration of Independence