Do Now 1. What does the Declaration of Independence mean to you? 2. What do you think of when you see, hear, or talk about it? Do the colony s reasons for separation from England justify the Declaration of Independence? What is government? Authority or power that rules on behalf of a group of people Do we as citizens have power? Vote Local Government 1
Where did this idea begin? Force Theory One person or group claimed control and forced others to submit to their power Evolutionary developed naturally from early families Divine Right 15 th to 18 th century Obey the ruler as you would obey God Social Contract Nothing protected anyone from another s violent actions Humans agreed to give up certain freedoms to insure the well-being of all Example US Constitution Lived in England mid 17 th century Humans ruler to keep order people gave up the right to rebel against the absolute rule of the monarch 2
mid 17 th century Humans ruler to keep order people gave up the right to rebel against the absolute rule of the monarch late 17 th century Natural Rights Born free and equal Had right to life, liberty, ownership of property Govt. existed to protect those People could rebel mid 17 th century Humans ruler to keep order people gave up the right to rebel against the absolute rule of the monarch late 17 th century Natural Rights Born free and equal Had right to life, liberty, ownership of property Govt. existed to protect those People could rebel Faith in common people Human nature was basically good Wrote book called The Social Contract People give up certain freedoms for good of the group Decisions of the majority will apply mid 17 th century Humans ruler to keep order people gave up the right to rebel against the absolute rule of the monarch late 17 th century Natural Rights Born free and equal Had right to life, liberty, ownership of property Govt. existed to protect those People could rebel Faith in common people Human nature was basically good Wrote book called The Social Contract People give up certain freedoms for good of the group Decisions of the majority will apply Mid 17 th Century Abuse of liberty occurred when power was concentrated in the hands of a single person or group Power should be distributed among three branches Legislative Executive Judicial Idea of checks and balances 3
Common Sense 47-page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in Jan. 1776 500,000 copies sold within a year Convinced people to support a complete break with Britain Declaration of Independence Committee members Thomas Jefferson Lawyer and Planter Roger Sherman Judge Robert Livingston Lawyer Benjamin Franklin Self made man Chose Jefferson to draft the statement Jefferson s Political Ideas Influenced by the Enlightenment Drew on ideas from earlier political thinkers John Locke was key in his thinking Inalienable 4
Declaration of Independence Preamble Jefferson explained the purpose of the declaration Declaration of Rights Explained the political ideas Relied heavily on John Locke s writings Emphasized natural Wrote of inalienable that could not be taken away Government s role was to protect those natural If they didn t the people had a right to replace the government List of Complaints Long list of wrongs inflicted on the colonists All wrongs were committed by King George III Jefferson wrote that George s objective was absolute tyranny 5
Lists of Grievances He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands. List of Grievances He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures. For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. Conclusion or Declaration Resolution of independence by the United States 6
Do the colony s reasons for separation from England justify the Declaration of Independence? 7