Notes on the Declaration of Independence and the Second Continental Congress

Key Excerpts from the Declaration of Independence

  • Opening Statement:

  • The purpose of the Declaration: Justification for separation from Britain.

  • Acknowledges the necessity for a people to dissolve political ties to another when required by circumstances.

  • Philosophy of Government:

  • Equality of Men: "We hold these truths to be self-evident…"

    • All men are created equal and endowed with unalienable Rights: Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

  • Government's Role:

    • Governments are formed to protect these rights, deriving their power from the consent of the governed.

  • Right to Change Government:

  • If a government becomes destructive to the people's rights, it is their right and duty to alter or abolish it.

  • Caution is advised against changing governments for trivial reasons; people often endure sufferable evils instead of taking action against them.

  • Historical Context of Grievances:

  • Describes the King of Great Britain as a tyrant, listing his repeated injuries and usurpations as justification for the colonies' decision to separate.

  • Cited as evidence of absolute despotism, which necessitates the colonies to establish a new form of government.

The Second Continental Congress

  • Composition:
  • More than 50 delegates from all thirteen colonies, with Georgia's representatives joining later.
  • Major Decision:
  • In July, the Congress accepted Richard Henry Lee's resolution to sever ties with Great Britain, leading to the signing of the Declaration by fifty-six delegates.

Justification for the American Revolution

  • The paragraphs provide a philosophical and moral justification for revolution by stating:
  • The inherent rights of individuals to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
  • The importance of governmental consent and the right of the people to replace unjust governments.
  • A historical account of grievances against British rule that displayed a pattern of tyranny, justifying the need for independence.
  • The colonists felt compelled to declare their separation due to the king's persistent violations of their rights.