Declaration of Independence Lecture Notes

Flashcards about the Declaration of Independence

What resolution was made on May 10, 1776, by the delegates of the United Colonies?

To recommend that colonies without sufficient governments should adopt governments that best conduce to the happiness and safety of their constituents and America.

What was the intention stated in the preamble to the resolution of May 15?

To totally suppress the exercise of every kind of authority under the British crown.

What was resolved on June 10th regarding the United Colonies?

That the United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown; and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.

Who were the members of the committee appointed to prepare the declaration of independence?

Mr. Jefferson, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Sherman, Mr. R. R. Livingston.

What committees were appointed on June 11th?

A committee to prepare a form of confederation between the colonies and another committee to prepare a plan of treaties to be proposed to foreign powers.

What declaration was laid before Congress on June 25th?

A declaration of the deputies of Pennsylvania expressing their willingness to concur in a vote declaring the United Colonies free and independent States.

When was the Declaration of Independence agreed to, signed by John Hancock, and sent to various assemblies and commanding officers?

July 4, 1776

When was a copy of the Declaration of Independence engrossed on parchment signed by most of the signers?

August 2, 1776

What actions of the King of Great Britain are listed as reasons for declaring independence?

Refusing assent to laws, forbidding governors to pass laws, dissolving representative houses, obstructing population, obstructing justice, keeping standing armies, imposing taxes without consent, and waging war against the colonies.

What was pledged to each other in support of the Declaration?

Lives, fortunes, and sacred honor.

What powers do the free and independent states claim to have?

Full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.

What unalienable rights are mentioned in the Declaration of Independence?

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

According to the declaration, where does the government derive their power from?

The consent of the governed.

According to the Declaration, what right does a people have when the government becomes destructive?

It is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government.

What grievances are listed in the Declaration of Independence?

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power, he has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation.

What does the declaration say about the colonies efforts to petition for redress?

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury.

How does the Declaration of Independence describe the role of the government?

To secure the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

What is the significance of listing grievances against the King in the Declaration?

To demonstrate that the King's actions justified the colonies' decision to declare independence, showing a pattern of abuse and tyranny.

What does the Declaration assert about the power of the 'United Colonies'?

They are free and independent states with the power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and all other acts that independent states may do.

How does the Declaration refer to the 'Supreme Judge of the world'?

Appeals to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions.

What does the conclusion of the Declaration state?

With a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.

What resolution was made on May 10, 1776, by the delegates of the United Colonies?

To recommend that colonies without sufficient governments should adopt governments that best conduce to the happiness and safety of their constituents and America.

What was the intention stated in the preamble to the resolution of May 15?

To totally suppress the exercise of every kind of authority under the British crown.

What was resolved on June 10th regarding the United Colonies?

That the United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown; and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.

Who were the members of the committee appointed to prepare the declaration of independence?

Mr. Jefferson, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Sherman, Mr. R. R. Livingston.

What committees were appointed on June 11th?

A committee to prepare a form of confederation between the colonies and another committee to prepare a plan of treaties to be proposed to foreign powers.

What declaration was laid before Congress on June 25th?

A declaration of the deputies of Pennsylvania expressing their willingness to concur in a vote declaring the United Colonies free and independent States.

When was the Declaration of Independence agreed to, signed by John Hancock, and sent to various assemblies and commanding officers?

July 4, 1776

When was a copy of the Declaration of Independence engrossed on parchment signed by most of the signers?

August 2, 1776

What actions of the King of Great Britain are listed as reasons for declaring independence?

Refusing assent to laws, forbidding governors to pass laws, dissolving representative houses, obstructing population, obstructing justice, keeping standing armies, imposing taxes without consent, and waging war against the colonies.

What was pledged to each other in support of the Declaration?

Lives, fortunes, and sacred honor.

What powers do the free and independent states claim to have?

Full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.

What unalienable rights are mentioned in the Declaration of Independence?

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

According to the declaration, where does the government derive their power from?

The consent of the governed.

According to the Declaration, what right does a people have when the government becomes destructive?

It is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government.

What grievances are listed in the Declaration of Independence?

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power, he has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation.

What does the declaration say about the colonies efforts to petition for redress?

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury.

How does the Declaration of Independence describe the role of the government?

To secure the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

What is the significance of listing grievances against the King in the Declaration?

To demonstrate that the King's actions justified the colonies' decision to declare independence, showing a pattern of abuse and tyranny.

What does the Declaration assert about the power of the 'United Colonies'?

They are free and independent states with the power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and all other acts that independent states may do.

How does the Declaration refer to the 'Supreme Judge of the world'?

Appeals to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions.

What does the conclusion of the Declaration state?

With a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.

What are the key components of the Declaration of Independence?

A list of grievances, a declaration of independence, and a statement of unalienable rights.

Who signed the Declaration of Independence?

The 56 delegates to the Second Continental Congress, representing the 13 colonies.

How does the Declaration of Independence establish the

The document asserts that governments derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed, emphasizing popular sovereignty.

Etymology of 'Necessary'

The word 'necessary' comes from the Latin 'necesse', meaning 'unavoidable, indispensable'. It currently signifies something that must be done or is required.

Etymology of 'Dissolve'

From the Latin 'dissolvere' (dis- 'apart' + solvere 'to loosen'), 'dissolve' means to break apart or disintegrate; to terminate or end.

Etymology of 'Connected'

Derived from Latin 'connectere' (com- 'together' + nectere 'to bind'), 'connect' means to join together or link; to establish a relationship.

Etymology of 'Assume'

Originating from Latin 'assume' (ad- 'to' + sumere 'to take'), it means to take or begin to have responsibility or control; to suppose to be the case without proof.

Etymology of 'Powers'

From Latin 'power' (potere 'to be able'), 'power' signifies the ability to do something or act in a particular way; strength or force.

Etymology of 'Earth'

Rooted in Latin 'earth' (terra), 'earth' refers to the planet we live on; soil or ground.

Etymology of 'Equal'

Evolving from Latin 'equal' (aequalis), meaning 'uniform' or 'on par', 'equal' describes being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value.

Etymology of 'Entitle'

Stemming from Latin 'entitle' (in- + titulus 'title'), 'entitle' means to give someone a right or claim to do or have something.

Etymology of 'Human'

From Latin 'humanus' (homo 'man'), 'human' relates to being characteristic of people; showing qualities such as compassion.

Etymology of 'Course'

Originating from Latin 'course' (cursus 'running'), it means a route or direction followed; a series of events or period of time.

Introduction, Statement of Rights, List of Grievances, and Declaration of Independence.

What are the four sections of the Declaration of Independence?

What is the purpose of the introduction?

It states the document's purpose: to explain why the colonies are separating from Britain.

What is the purpose of the Statement of Rights section?

It asserts that governments are established to protect these rights and derives their power from the consent of the governed.

What is the purpose of the List of Grievances section?

It presents a long list of specific complaints against King George III, detailing actions that violated the colonists' rights.

What is the purpose of the Declaration of Independence section?

It declares that the colonies are now independent states, with the power to wage war, make alliances, and conduct trade.

What is meant in the Declaration of Independence by, 'He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries'?

This complaint refers to the king making judges dependent on his will for the tenure of their offices and the payment of their salaries, compromising their impartiality.

What is meant in the Declaration of Independence by, 'For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent'?

This denotes the imposition of taxes on the colonies without their consent or representation in Parliament, violating the principle of 'no taxation without representation'.

What is meant in the Declaration of Independence by, 'He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures'?

This refers to the king maintaining standing armies in the colonies during times of peace without the consent of the colonial legislatures.

What is meant in the Declaration of Independence by, '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'?

This charges the king with obstructing the naturalization of foreigners and refusing to pass laws to encourage migration to the colonies.

What is meant in the Declaration of Independence by, 'He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people'?

This alleges that the king plundered the seas, ravaged the coasts, burnt towns, and destroyed the lives of the colonists, indicative of acts of war.

How does the Declaration reveal an awareness of a historical process?

The Declaration acknowledges that the colonists have appealed to Britain for redress of their grievances, indicating an awareness of the historical process of seeking resolution through dialogue and supplication before resorting to declaring independence.

To whom is the Declaration of Independence addressed, and who is the speaker of the document?

The document is addressed to mankind, specifically those who value reason and justice, seeking international recognition and justification for their actions. The appeal is made to the 'Supreme Judge of the world,' invoking divine approval and moral correctness. The speaker is the collective representatives of the United Colonies, acting on behalf of the American people.

How does the final sentence of the Declaration of Independence correspond to

The final sentence corresponds to the first by affirming dependence on divine support and mutual commitment, mirroring the initial assertion of entitlement under natural and divine laws.
'Providence' refers to divine guidance or care from God, while 'Nature's God' denotes the deity as the source of natural laws and human rights.