The Declaration of Independence
Recap! Mercantilism: economic policy from 1500-1800 in which nations encouraged exports as a means of collecting gold and silver Government controls all trade Colonies ensured a safe and steady stream of raw materials for England, including fur, fish, cotton, tobacco, and indigo Colonies were expected to import manufactured and processed goods like iron products and tea
Recap! French and Indian war = expensive King of England felt that the colonies should help bear some of the cost and began to tax the colonies heavily Heavy taxes angered colonists = no taxation without representation This paved the path for the Revolution and the Declaration of Independence
Recap! The First Continental Congress was a meeting of delegates from twelve of the Thirteen Colonies who met from September 5 to October 26, 1774 - early in the American Revolution. It was called in response to the Intolerable Acts passed by the British Parliament The Congress met briefly to consider options, including an economic boycott of British trade and drawing up a list of rights and grievances; in the end, they petitioned King George III for redress of those grievances.
Recap! Their appeal to the Crown had no effect, and so the Second Continental Congress was convened the following year to organize the defense of the colonies at the onset of the American Revolutionary War. The delegates also urged each colony to set up and train its own militia. The Second Congress managed the Colonial war effort and moved incrementally towards independence. It adopted the United States Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776
Second Continental Congress 1775-1776 Convened May 19, 1775 George Washington appointed Commander in Chief of the Continental Forces Appointed 5 men to write a declaration stating the colonies intent and reasons for independence June 1775 56 delegates met and debated, each colony had one vote Deliberated for one year January 1776 Common Sense by Thomas Paine explained why there should be independence to the public
Resolution of Differences Second Continental Congress drafted the Declaration of Independence. Approved for signature July 2 July 4 1776 Declaration written by Thomas Jefferson was signed, John Hancock signed first with the largest signature Severed ties with Great Britain
Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson understood what the actions entailed Wanted to make sure the document explained why the colonists wanted to separate The second paragraph lays down the philosophy for the decision. All men are equal Government was to protect life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, fundamental rights of all When the government failed to do so, citizens have a right to overthrow it Overthrow is not for trivial reasons, but when treatment becomes absolute despotism
Declaration of Independence 3 key parts of the Declaration: Preamble: called attention to plight of American colonists. Laid out key ideological reasons why America was breaking away from Britain Included reasons why America was rebelling against the King Locke s natural rights, equality of men, role of government featured prominently
Declaration of Independence 3 key parts of the Declaration: 2nd Section: list of grievances or justifications Contains 27 points of differences the colonies had with King George III and his government 3rd Section: discussion of failed attempts to get relief from Britain Concludes that the only way for Americans to get their rights and freedoms is to do it themselves by declaring independence
Three Basic Principles of the Declaration of Independence Natural Rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness Popular Sovereignty: People are the source of political authority Order: Importance of stability, overthrowing a government is only the last resort
List of Grievances that were Improper Actions by the King Dismissing colonial legislatures and denying the colonists their right for self-government Tax the colonists without their consent Maintaining an army in the colonies without the consent of the legislature and elevating the military above civilian authority Forcing colonists to house British soldiers in their house
List of Grievances that were Improper Actions by the King Making judges dependent on the King for their salaries and their tenure in office Refusing colonists the right to a fair trial in front of a jury of their peers Cutting off the trade of the colonies Abolishing the Charters, forms of government, and important laws of the colonies Refusing to address colonial grievances Renouncing the King s authority to govern the colonies by waging war on them Encouraging domestic violence and Indian attacks on the colonies
Main Points of the Declaration of Independence All men are created equal. We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. Men are given by God certain unalienable rights. They are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. We have the natural right by God to declare our independence from England. When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature s God entitle them
Main Points of the Declaration of Independence Governments derive their authority from the consent of the people. Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. When a government abuses its power, the people have the right to overthrow it. That whenever any form of Government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it The colonies tried repeatedly to compromise with King George, but has been a tyrant. Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.
Significance The American Colonies finally declared their independence from England It was the first step in the creation of a new nation.
Button Gwinnett: Died in a duel in 1777 at 42 most valued signature due to only 14 examples that exist. Lyman Hall George Walton Georgia Delegation
Assignment You are tired of this class (or school in general), and you want to break away and be an independent person. However, you have to go through me. I want you to create a declaration of independence from school/class. - Tell me why you are making the decision to be independent and the principles that you want to live by in your new independent life - List grievances - Make an argument that convinces me that it is a good idea for you to be independent or I will not grant it.