1. The Declaration of Independence
and American Ideals
American Ideals
Essential Skills:
Demonstrate an understanding of influences on the Declaration of Independence and of ideals contained in the document
Explicitly assess images of American events, and draw conclusions about how they represent American ideals
Write persuasively

2. 1) Who was the main person to draft the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
2) Which Enlightenment philosopher influenced the ideas in the Declaration of Independence the most?
John Locke
4) What is a grievance?
A complaint

3. Influences on the DOI
“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…”

4. Influences on the DOI
“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…”

5. Influences on the DOI
“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…”

6. Influences on the DOI
“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…”

7. Influences on the DOI
“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…”

8. Definition: Ideal
A standard of excellence; something that we strive to achieve

9. Ideals represented in the Declaration of Independence
“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…”

10. Other ideals represented in the Declaration of Independence
“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…”

11. Ideals in the Declaration
Rights – basic conditions guaranteed to each person
Liberty – freedom to think and act
Equality – having the same rights and opportunities as others
Democracy – a government in which ultimate power comes from the citizens
Opportunity – having the chance to achieve one’s dreams

12. Stand in the Corner that BEST expresses your view.
All Americans are treated equally under the law.
Some Americans are given more rights than others.
All Americans should be given equal rights to marry the person they love.
Americans need more freedoms than we have today.
All Americans have the same opportunities to succeed in life.
All Americans should be given equal access to quality education regardless of whether they are rich or poor
Business owners should have liberty to decide whether or not they pay for healthcare for their employees
Wealthy people have more influence on American democracy than other Americans.

13. In Class Assignment
You will read a placard at each station you move to.
You will examine a series of images and quotes that span American history from colonial times to modern day. Each image and quote relates to our American Ideals from the Declaration of Independence. They demonstrate either:
A BELIEF in an ideal
A STRUGGLE for an ideal
A CONFLICT over an ideal

14. Take notes in preparation to answer this Question: Has America lived up to our ideals expressed in the Declaration?
Read the descriptions and quotes. Look at the images.
Assess which of the five ideal(s) the picture relates to and write why.
Draw conclusions about whether the placard is an example of America living up to that ideal or not.
Record 2 to 4 important facts/details to help you make the argument that our country was or was not living up to that ideal.
You will use your notes for a graded paragraph that you write today in-class.
You will only have 2 minutes per station so STAY FOCUSED!

15. Question: Has America lived up to our ideal of ____________?
Paragraphs must be 8-10 sentences. (This is graded.)
Begin with a one-sentence thesis:
“America has/has not lived up to our ideal of [equality] because….”
It does not matter whether you argue yes or no. What matters is that you support your argument with evidence.
Support your thesis with 3 examples from the placards or from your own knowledge of U.S. History or current events.
End by answering the question: What do Americans still need to do to achieve this ideal? OR What have we done recently to uphold this ideal?
If you finish early, try the optional CHALLENGE: 2 to 5 paragraph essay on 2 or more of the ideals.

16. Sample paragraph
Although Americans claim that our country promotes equality, we have not always lived up to that ideal, as evidenced by repeated instances of discrimination. During our Colonial era, men who did not own property were not allowed to vote. African-Americans were enslaved and denied basic rights of citizenship. A bloody Civil War was fought in 1861 to end slavery in the South. Women were also a group that was denied equality during this era. Through social protests and demonstrations they too were able to gain the right to vote in This struggle continues today. Americans still need to do more to live up to our ideal of equality. Women are still paid less money than men for the same work. Discrimination still creates problems for people of color. We need to do more to treat each other with respect and equality, regardless of our differences.