Declaration of What is the Declaration of Independence? Independence * Key Leaders of the Time * People/Events * Significance to American Democracy by Patricia McNair Click for Video (4:00) Key Leaders of the Time Thomas Jefferson Benjamin Franklin wrote the Declaration of Independence edited the Declaration of Independence John Hancock was President of the Continental Congress & 1 st to sign John Adams nominated Washington to be commander of Continental Army
People/Events Associated with the Declaration of Independence Stamp Act Townshend Acts Tea Act Taxes Tax placed on all printed paper Tax on imports of lead, glass, paint, paper and tea Tax on tea Intolerable Acts Unfair trials, quartering act, king appoints governors for colonies Click for Video (4:00) Alexander Hamilton Samuel Adams Benedict Arnold Thomas Paine Click for Video (3:00) People Pushed for a centralized government with a capitalistic economy One of the main forces behind the American Revolution Ex-Son of Liberty became a traitor and joined the British halfway through the war Published Common Sense, a book that provoked Colonists to be free of a king Boston Massacre 1 st Continental Congress 2 nd Continental Congress Events 5 protesting Colonists killed by British soldiers British soldiers go unpunished Delegates sent the Declaration of Rights King George, III refused Delegates sent the Olive Branch Petition & created the Declaration of Independence King George, III refused
Major Components of Declaration of Independence All men are created equal. We hold these Truths to be selfevident, 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. Major Components of 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 it s 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 How does the Declaration of Independence Impact the American Democracy? 1. Led to the democratic concept of political participation or the right to vote Today, everyone who reaches 18 can vote. 2. Right to due process and a fair trial if convicted of a crime without taking away a person s life, liberty, or property 3. Equality led to guaranteeing America s children the right to a free public education. 4. Increased social participation led to increased liberty for minorities women and slaves. 5. The pursuit of happiness led to free enterprise/capitalistic economy of today (buy and sell without government permission) Teach your buddy what you just learned. Reverse.
Let s see what you know. Put your notes away and take out your Plickers. (www.plickers.com) 1. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? A. James Madison B. George Washington D. Samuel Adams 1. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? A. James Madison B. George Washington D. Samuel Adams 2. Who was a traitor to the Sons of Liberty and the Patriots? A. Thomas Jefferson B. Benjamin Franklin C. John Hancock D. Benedict Arnold
2. Who was a traitor to the Sons of Liberty and the Patriots? A. Thomas Jefferson B. Benjamin Franklin C. John Hancock D. Benedict Arnold 3. During which meeting with the delegates did they create the Declaration of Independence? A. the American Revolution B. the Trail of Tears C. 1 st Continental Congress D. 2 nd Continental Congress 3. During which meeting with the delegates did they create the Declaration of Independence? A. the American Revolution B. the Trail of Tears C. 1 st Continental Congress D. 2 nd Continental Congress 4. Who wrote a book called, Common Sense, that influenced a lot of the colonists to want independence from Britain? A. Benedict Arnold B. Samuel Adams D. Thomas Paine
4. Who wrote a book called, Common Sense, that influenced a lot of the colonists to want independence from Britain? A. Benedict Arnold B. Samuel Adams D. Thomas Paine 5. Which statement from the Declaration of Independence went against the existence of slavery? A. When a government abuses it s power, the people have the right to overthrow it. B. All men are created equal. C. Men are given by God certain unalienable rights. D. Governments derive their authority from the consent of the people.