Declaration of Independence

Colonists who did not wish to remain British subjects declared themselves "Patriots"

Those who remained faithful to England called themselves "Loyalists or Tories”

Fighting started at Lexington and Concord

The Colonies Divided

What was the Declaration of Independence?

• Declared the 13 colonies free from Britain.

• Explained the justifications for separation from Britain.

• States that all men are created equal.

• Unalienable rights: "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

• Inspiring to the citizens and Continental Army.

Influences to the Declaration of Independence

• Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” published in 1776.

• John Locke’s “Second Treatise Government” published in 1690. Life, Liberty, and pursuit of property.

Common Sense is PublishedThe publication of a pamphlet titled Common Sense helped convince many Americans that a

complete break with Britain was necessary. It was written by Thomas Paine, a recent immigrant from Britain.

Everything that is right or natural pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries,“’Tis time to part.”

Even the distance at which the Almighty has placed England and America is a strong and natural proof that the authority of the one over the other was never the design of heaven.

Thomas Paine, Common Sense

In July of 1776, fighting between the American colonists and the British forces had been going on for over a year. The Continental Congress had been meeting since June, trying to decide the question of independence.

The Continental Congress met in June 1776. They decided that the thirteen colonies should be free and independent states, but they needed to write up a specific document to declare their independence from Great Britain.

The document had to state the reasons that the American colonies wanted to be independent of English rule.

The Continental Congress decided to have Thomas Jefferson write the first draft of the Declaration of Independence.

This powerful advocate of liberty was born in 1743 in Virginia, inheriting from his father some 5,000 acres of land

Jefferson was no public speaker. In the Virginia House of Burgesses and the Continental Congress, he contributed with his writing ability rather than his voice.

Thomas Jefferson, was assisted by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman when writing the final copy of the Declaration of Independence.

Finally, late in the afternoon on July 4th, 1776 twelve of the thirteen colonies reached agreement to formally declare the new states as a free and independent nation. New York was the lone holdout.

That evening Congress President John Hancock ordered Philadelphia printer John Dunlap to print broadside copies of the agreed-upon declaration that was signed by him as President and Charles Thomson as Secretary of the Continental Congress

We’ve declared independence from Britain, but now we have to win a war to get it!

The main point of the Declaration of Independence is that it is the right of the people to overthrow a government that becomes destructive and does not protect the rights of its citizens! The document lists all the things that have been done by the King and Parliament, justifying the Americans’ call for freedom. It listed 27 complaints (grievances) in all

Signer of the Declaration of Independence was also a wealthy Massachusetts merchant who liked to defy the British authorities. He was also president of the Continental Congress. He was very wealthily and used his fortune to help finance the War for the American side.

THE FACTSWho wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence?

• Thomas Jefferson wrote the 1st draft.

• Also on the committee of 5: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, & Robert Livingston.

• John Hancock was the 1st to sign.

• 56 people signed and pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor.

• 2 future presidents: John Adams & Thomas Jefferson

THE FACTSWhen and Where was the Declaration of Independence signed?

• Adopted on July 4th, 1776• 2nd Continental Congress

Meeting• Independence Hall in

Philadelphia, PA

4 Parts of the Declaration of Independence

• Part I: Preamble– Explains why the D. of I.

was written.

• Part II: Declaration of Natural Rights & Job of Government– These rights can’t be taken

away.– If rights are taken, the

people have the right to overthrow the government.

– All people are equal

• Part III: Grievances of the King– Unfair actions placed on

colonists.– King George III is unfit to

rule free people.

• Part IV: Declaring Independence – The 13 Colonies cut all ties

with Britain.

Declaration of Independence- The Key Ideas of Government:

“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 abolish it and to institute a new form of government.”

Where is the Declaration of Independence Today?

The National Archives Rotunda in Washington D.C.

Assessment

1. When was the D. of I. signed (adopted)?2. Who was the principal author of the D. of I.?3. What were the 3 unalienable rights mentioned?4. Who wrote “Common Sense”?5. How many parts are there in the D. of I.?6. Who are the Grievances directed to?7. If the unalienable rights are taken away, what

right do the people and citizens have to do?