1. Declaration of Independence “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another…”

2. History… Primary author: Thomas Jefferson Committee of 5 drafted the document (Jefferson, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, & Robert Livingston) Written at Independence Hall in Philadelphia Based on John Locke’s philosophy of individual liberty Adopted by the 2nd Continental Congress on July 4, 1776 John Hancock was the first to sign it and signed largely so the King could read it without his glasses.

3. Preamble Outlines the general philosophy of government - Their Declaration of Rights “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.”self-evidentall men are created equalCreator unalienable Rights Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness

4. Signatures… John Hancock (President of the 2nd Continental Congress) Thomas Jefferson John Adams Edward Rutledge (youngest at age 26) Ben Franklin (oldest at age 70) 56 signatures total All signed in secret (not together in public)

5. Dunlap Broadsides… Copies had to be made and distributed to the colonists Copies made by John Dunlap and called “Dunlap Broadsides”

6. Vocabulary terms… Democracy: power to rules comes from the people who are governed Despot: Absolute ruler (The Dec. of Ind. Says to overthrow such leaders) Republic: state or country NOT ruled by a monarchy

7. What was left out? Jefferson (a slave owner) originally removed slavery in the original Declaration Congress had that edited Jefferson remained upset about this until his death

8. Independence Day July 4, 1776 (even though the document was officially signed in August)