1. Government and Law Unit I Foundations of the American Political System

2. Essential Questions Why do we have rules/laws? Who should govern/rule? What are the roles and responsibilities of government? What rights should all human beings have?

3. The Continental Congress Est. in 1774 to protest acts of the British June 1775: appoints George Washington as commander of the military June 1776: appoints a Committee of Five to draft a statement presenting to the world the colonies' case for independence Jefferson, with help from other committee members, drafts Declaration of Indep. July 4, 1776:Continental Congress adopts Declaration of Indep.

4. Declaration: Overview 1 st : begins with a statement of premises and assumptions 2 nd : lists evidence to support those premises in the series of claims beginning with "He" (in reference to King George of England) 3 rd : Declares Independence

5. Declaration: Part I ¶ 1: "When, in the course...” why the American colonists decided to state their position before that start of a declared war 18 th Century - unusual for common people to voice their opinions "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God” - revolutionary notion: the traditional belief was that king and his nobles ruled by divine right asserts that humanity, like the natural world, operates under laws which even a king must obey.

6. Declaration: Part I ¶ 2: "We hold these truths...” "Truths" that are "self-evident" are premises that need no support claims that follow were the most revolutionary and the most critical everyone is created equal everyone has certain rights, including: life, liberty, pursuit of happiness governments are formed, by the consent of those governed, to protect those rights; if that consent is lost, any government can be abolished or replaced.

7. Declaration: Part II ¶ 3+: the Evidence: The long list of charges brought against George III “He has.... “

8. Declaration: Part III Final 3 ¶’s Explains that colonists have tried to work this out peaceably Have warned the British People The British people have failed to listen Therefore, we declare our independence

9. Activity Read the Declaration of Independence contained on pp. 306-307 in your book Complete the Declaration of Independence analysis sheet with a partner.