Lesson #8: The Declaration of Independence

declaration of independence

Document that declares the United States free & independent from Great Britain & the King

writers of the Declaration of Independence

• Thomas Jefferson - Virginia

• John Adams - Massachusetts

• Ben Franklin - Pennsylvania

• Roger Sherman - Connecticut

• Robert Livingston - New York

Why was the Declaration of Independence authorized by the Second Continental Congress?

• Gain foreign aid from France

• Captured American soldiers treated as Prisoners of War (POW’s) rather than traitors (considered treason)

Three Parts of the Declaration of Independence

the preamble, list of grievances, denunciation

the preamble

• Purpose of an Ideal Government

  • Combines the ideas of Locke & Rousseau

• Some of the most powerful words ever written

  • Words have inspired wars & revolutions all over the world

    • Even twice when the very words                                                of our declaration were used against us

      • The Filipino Revolt from 1898 to 1901

      • The Vietnam War from 1965 to 1973

purpose of The Preamble

• Tells the world why we wrote the Declaration of Independence

  • All men are created equal

  • Inalienable rights given by God cannot be taken away

    • Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness (property) Natural Rights

• In the state of nature, rights are insecure

  • Therefore, people consent to government (social contract)

• Purpose of Government = protecting Inalienable Rights

  • When government fails to meet its purpose, people have the right to alter or abolish it & establish a new government (contract)

List of Grievances

• A list of specific wrong-doings the Revolutionaries say the King has committed against the colonies

  • Lists the issues which caused the desire for the separation

    • Contains 27 specific violations of political liberties alleged that King George III committed against the colonies

denunciation

• Declares that the United States is free & independent (sovereign)

  • Claims the power to…

    • Levy War

    • Conclude Peace

    • Contract Alliances

    • Establish Commerce

What does the Declaration of Independence do?

• Describe a perfect government

  • Does not set up any legal government!

    • Remember: The Second Continental Congress had no legitimate claim to authority & power

What does the Declaration of Independence NOT do?

• Set up a new government for the colonies

  • It only breaks our ties with Great Britain

English Bill of Rights

• Issued in 1689

  • Parliament forced the king to accept parliament's right to exist

    • Prevents abuse of power by future monarchs

• King needs parliament’s permission to:

  • Suspend Laws

  • Levy (issue) Taxes

  • Maintain an army during peacetime

How did the English Bill of Rights influence the American Revolution?

• 1689 after the glorious revolution parliament forced the king to accept parliament's right to exist

  • Prevents abuse of power by future monarchs

• King needs parliament’s permission to suspend laws, levy taxes, and maintain an army during peacetime

  • Parliament’s elections must be free

  • Finally right to petition the government for redress