The Declaration of Independence…

Objectives

• You should be able to:– Identify and explain the immediate events leading

to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence (Prohibitory Act, Richard Henry Lee’s resolution, the Committee of Five, etc.)

– Analyze the key components of the Declaration of Independence!

– Rewrite sections of the Declaration of Independence in modern language

What are your top gripes about the way young people are treated?

I lead, you follow…Any questions

• WHO makes the rules you don't like• WHO decides if the rules are fair or

not• HOW would you get the rules

changed• WHAT does it mean to be

independent from the rules• HOW does a group of people

declare that they will no longer follow the rules?– So based on what you stated, what

options to the colonists have at this point?!?

Leading Toward Independence

• May 1775: Second Continental Congress convenes in Philadelphia

• January 1776: Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense

• February 1776: Britain passes the Prohibitory Act– Established a blockade of American ports and

declared American ships to be enemy vessels.

In West Philadelphia born and raised…

Now this is the story all about howColonial life got flipped, turned

upside downAnd I'd like to take a minute just sit

right thereI'll tell you how I became the

patriot sittin’ here in this chair.

In west Philadelphia

born and raised…

Colonial “Feelings”

• Some delegates hoped for eventual independence, but no one yet advocated declaring it– Resistance was centered

in the middle colonies of New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware

A Bold MeasureMay 1776: Richard Henry Lee introduces a resolution (or a formal statement):– “These United Colonies

are, and of right out to be, free and independent states.”

– Vote: 12 yeas, one abstention (NY)

Rebel WITH A Cause

The Committee of Five

• Drafted and presented to the Congress what became known as America's Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776– John Adams of Massachusetts,

Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, Robert R. Livingston of New York, and Roger Sherman of Connecticut

John Adams

Structure of the Declaration of Independence

• Introduction: I. Called the Preamble

• 3 parts of the Declaration:II. Purpose and natural rights on which the

nation was founded (Enlightenment)• “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.”

• When the rights are violated, they can abolish their government and create a new one.

The Declaration of Independence

III. List of grievances (British wrongs)– 28 wrongs were listed

IV. Dissolving the bonds (Actions)– What the signers intend to do and why– Become the United States of America– All political connection is dissolved– Solemn pledge

Let’s read the

preamble together

One Fish, Three Fish, Red Fish, Free Fish…

• What if Dr. Seuss had written the Declaration of Independence?

• What would it have sounded like?Free

In 7 groups, you will be assigned a portion of the

Declaration of Independence.

You will re-write that portion in the style of Dr. Seuss…

Examples of Seuss Rhyming Schemes…

• “…I meant what I said And I said what I meant…. An elephant’s faithful One hundred per cent!”

Free

We rid ourselves from this tie, we rid

ourselves so we must say goodbye.

We have some rights

that you denied…..

• Group #1: The Preamble (Paragraph #1)• Group #2: “We hold these truths…Safety and

Happiness”• Group #3: Prudence, indeed will dictate…

provide new Guards for their future security.”

• Group #4: Such has been the patient sufferance…candid world.”

• Group #5: In every stage of the Oppressions…”ruler of a free people”

• Group #6: Nor have we been wanting in attention…Enemies in War in Peace Friends.”

• Group #7: We, therefore, the Representatives…our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

Discussion Questions…

1. Jefferson chose to begin the Declaration with the words, “The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America.” Do you feel this was necessary? Why or why not? Could the 13 colonies have declared independence if they were not unanimous? Why or why not?

Discussion Questions

2. According to Jefferson, what was the purpose of government?

3. What does Jefferson suggest should happen whenever government becomes “destructive of the ends for which it was created?”

4. According to Jefferson, how do governments derive their powers?

Discussion Questions

5. Jefferson noted that “all men are created equal,” suggesting that this was “self-evident.” Speculate as to what he meant by that statement.

6. What sorts of conflicts and misconceptions may have stemmed from this statement?

The Declaration of Independence

• July 4, 1776– Unanimously voted to accept the Declaration

of Independence• John Hancock’s GINORMOUS signature was the

first and only one to sign on July 4th

• August 2– Official signing– No turning back now folks!– Each signer was officially a traitor

"Indeed we must all hang together,

otherwise we shall most

assuredly hang separately.”

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…