1. Declaration of Independence
Focus Question:
Why did the founders write the Declaration of Independence?

2. Review of the Declaration
Preamble-Explains why the colonists should write this declaration of independence.
What are the three parts?
The rights of all citizens
List of grievances (Gripes, Complaints)
The Plan:
The colonies will be “Free and independent states”

3. Selfish vs. Ideological
Scenario: You believe Mr. Burgess should be fired as a teacher. You must write a letter to Mrs. Waterbury explaining why we should be fired.
What would be some examples of ideological reasons? (think of character)
What would be some examples of selfish reasons?

4. Selfish or Ideological Reasons?
Historians have disagreed as to whether the colonial leaders were motivated by selfish or ideological reasons.
What would be some examples of ideological reasons? (Think of beliefs)
What would be some examples of selfish reasons?
(equality, freedom), preserve the power and privilege of rich people)

5. Vocabulary dissolve: disappear bands: connections station: place
impel: force
self-evident: obvious
endowed: given
inalienable: cannot be taken away
to secure: to get
instituted: established
deriving: getting
consent: agreement

6. When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one
people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them
with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the
separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of
Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of
mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel
them to the separation.
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. That
whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these
ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to
institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and
organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely
to effect their safety and happiness.

9. Class Discussion
Which excerpt takes the side that colonists were motivated by Selfish ideas?
Which excerpt takes the side that colinists were motivated by honest and responsible ideas (ideological)?
Support each answer with 3-4 examples from the reading with your partner.
Me, ME, Me, Me ,Me

11. Homework:
Re-Write the Declaration of Independence Preamble in your own words