The Declaration of Independence

who was the primary author

thomas jefferson

with the help of ben franklin and john adams

what was the goals/context of creating this document

to justify the American revolution and put forth the founding principles of te new nation

• human liberty

• the consent of the governed (popul. sovereigtny)

four main sections of the document

1. intro

2. natural rights

3. grievances

4. resolution

themes and key ideas from the document

freedom, all having rights, giving people opportunities, a lot of comparing (and complaining)

purpose of the government

to live in peace and unity, to ensure freedom and happiness, and to balance power (no dictatorship)

the people!

thomas jefferson

the source of government power

• ironic and contradictory

• author yet enslaved over 600+ humans

  • publicly believed in the moral good and that war was the greatest threat to a new nation