GET STARTED Write a short statement about a situation that you feel the need to be independent. Describe why you believe that independence is justified. Are any of your arguments based on the Founders ideas about self-govt. that we have learned about so far? Explain your answer. Write a statement declaring your independence and the advantages and disadvantages of doing so.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyytteu_nlu THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE - BASIC IDEAS - ORGANIZATION - REASONS FOR AND COMPLIANTS
TODAY S OBJECTIVES Explain the basic ideas about government that are contained in the D. of I. Explain how the D. of I. Embodies the concept of natural rights, government in a republic, and constitutional govt. Describe the arguments found in the D. of I. that justify the separation of the colonies from G.B. Explain why some colonists did not want to separate from G.B.
REVIEW First Continental Congress: Fall 1774, Philly, PA Place an embargo on British goods (Prohibit trade) Lexington and Concord (Mass) Spring 1775 First battles of the Revolutionary War Second Continental Congress: Summer 1775 1776, Philly, PA President: John Hancock Start the Continental Army and navy led by George Washington Decide to officially break with Britain and George III http://www.yout ube.com/watch?v= WvOZs3g3qIo
OVERVIEW Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in American history. Summarizes the colonists complaints against the British govt. Also explains reasons why the colonies decided to declare their independence from G. B.
WHY WAS IT WRITTEN? Thomas Paine: Common Sense Is America not already independent? Why not then declare it? June 7 th, 1776: the Continental Congress called for the colonies to declare independence from G.B. Had to inform GB and the world that the colonies were now free and independence states Congress wanted to make sure the reasons were clear Committee from drafting the declaration Ben Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman
THOMAS JEFFERSON Delegate from VA Diplomat, author, architect, scientist, statesman Member of the Cont. Congress during the Rev. War Quiet, shy, not a great speaker Excellent writer chosen by the comm. To write the first draft of the declaration Basically locked himself in a room and worked day and night Did discuss with other comm. members
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrvpzxmfkau INDEPENDENCE DAY July 4, 1776: members of the Continental Congress passed the Declaration of Independence!! Signed by 55 delegates First: John Hancock
INDEPENDENCE HALL
TODAY
ORGANIZATION Not very long and pretty easy to understand 4 important parts: Ideals: Founders beliefs about govt., explains how gov. is created Arguments: reasons why the colonies thought they were justified in breaking away from GB Complaints: complaints against King George III Conclusion: states that bond between the colonies and GB is done
PRINCIPLES OF GOVT. Sets forth some of the most important ideals of our nation all men are created equal Everyone has certain basic rights (self-evident and inalienable) Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness Consent of the governed: the ppl have given their consent as long as the authority protects the rights We hold these truths to be self-evident (easy for anyone to see), that all men are created equal, that they are endowed (given) by their Creator (God) with certain unalienable Rights (rights that cannot be taken away), that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted (established) among Men, deriving (receiving) their just powers from the consent (agreement) of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends (purposes) it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it (overthrow it or put an end to it), and to institute new Government
REASONS FOR INDEPENDENCE D. of I. was a justification for the revolution Jefferson used the ideas of natural rights Life, liberty, property Main points of the argument: Rights are based on natural law If gov. violates natural law, people have the right to abolish the gov. An agreement existed b/w colonies and the king Colonies had no agreement with Parliament (no right to tax, or govern them) King violated the agreement by depriving the colonies of the rights Colonies had the right to withdraw consent to be governed and establish a new gov
A LONG TRAIN OF ABUSES Deprivation of rights and abuse of power by the king and Parliament absolute tyranny Charge King with the following: Seeking to destroy the colonial governments sovereignty (authority) Keeping standing armies among the ppl at a time of peace Quartering of soldiers Imposing taxes without consent Deprivation of the right to a trial by jury Changing and altering colonial constitutions and governments http://www.yo utube.com/watc h?v=gdzyyy7g8 g4
RIGHT TO REVOLUTION Whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of those Ends it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it Because of the grievances, the colonists had the right to withdraw their consent to be governed by the British and establish their own government
SIGNED AND PASSED July 4, 1776: Congress votes to approve Jefferson s Declaration of Independence John Hancock: President of the Congress First to sign the document Eventually 55 others will sign the resolution Including: John Adams, Sam Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin
DEAR KING GEORGE In-class Activity In group, write a Dear John letter to break up with Britain. Can be written in any dialect, but must stay appropriate!! We will read letters in front of the class at the end!