Declaration of Independence Webquest
Declaration of Independence WebQuest
Activity #1: Introduction
Watch thisvideofor an overview of the Declaration of Independence.
1. What do the following public figures have to say about the Declaration of Independence?
a. Aaron Sorkin
b. Tom Brokaw
c. Colin Powell
2. What were the two options that divided the Second Continental Congress?
Activity #2: Time to Part?
Was it time for the American colonies to declare independence from Britain?
Click hereto read about the Second Continental Congress’ decision to declare independence.
What happened on July 4 1776?
Why did Congress have no choice to write the DOI?
How did the King of England seem to be encouraging a fight?
What is the current status of the war?Where is the Continental Army?
Activity #3:The Vote
Watchthis videoof the vote to declare independence from theJohn AdamsHBO miniseries
1. What you would have done during this vote as a member of the Continental Congress?Why?
2. What do you think the delegates were risking by voting for/signing the Declaration of Independence?
Activity #4: Signing the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration announced to the world on July 4, 1776, that thirteen British colonies in North America were leaving Great Britain to form a separate nation, called the United States of America. In justifying the revolution, the Declaration asserted a universal truth about human rights.Read about who signed the Declaration of IndependenceHERE
Click on each delegate from Delaware.Use the chart below to organize important biographical information about each one.
George Read / Caesar Rodney / Thomas McKean
Now you are going to take a look at what happened to these 56 delegates after they signed the Declaration of Independence:
Record 5 interesting facts you read in the space below:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Activity #5: Concluding Activity
Watchthis videofromNational Treasure, where they talk about what the character in the movie thinks is the coolest line from the Declaration of Independence. Which of the following lines do YOU think is the coolest? (CIRCLE IT)
1. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
2. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.
3. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant*, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
4. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.
5. We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled do …solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States
Why did you pick the line that you did?
Finished early???
Relax and watch this episode of Liberty's kids: