The Declaration of Independence (Advanced)
Section 1 – The introduction of the Declaration of Independence declares the reasons the American colonies wish to leave the British Empire. It is further noted that their independence is not only necessary, but unavoidable. (Sometimes a group of people must separate themselves from their leaders, but they must have good reasons.)
“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”
What this section says in your own words: ______
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Section 2 – The Declaration of Independence lists ideas about Government that were already known as being “self-evident” by the majority of Englishmen of the 18th Century. It continues to state that when such a situation arises in government (as that being experienced by the British governing of the 13 colonies), it is not only their desire, but it is their right and their duty to throw off such a Government and to provide the foundation for a new government to ensure their future security.
“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.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government…”
How were the ideas in this section of the Declaration influenced by the earlier writing of John Locke?
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Section 3 – In this part of the Declaration of Independence, the grievances (complaints) against England and King George III are listed.
“The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
- He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
- He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
- He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
- He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
- He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
- For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
- For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
- For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
- For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
- For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences…
- He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
- He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
In your opinion, which three of these grievances were the worst ones?
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Section 4 – Section two of the body of the Declaration of Independence clearly states that the colonists made peaceful efforts to request changes to some of the decisions of King George III were unsuccessful.
“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. 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.”
Why did the colonists feel it was important to show that they had attempted to obtain a peaceful redress of their grievances?
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Section 5 – The conclusion of the Declaration of Independence notes that having listed the grievances, under which British North Americans lived, they – the United Colonies – were declaring their right to be free and independent from any and all allegiance to the British Crown. It further stated that any political connection between the two is to be dissolved.
“We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these 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; and that as Free and Independent States, they 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. And for the support of this Declaration, 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 this section says in your own words: ______
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If you had been a colonist in 1776, would the Declaration of Independence have persuaded you to support independence? Find at least three pieces of evidence to support your choice and explain your reasoning.
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Vocabulary Reference Sheet
Section 1
Dissolve – to make disappear; to end
Political bands – ties that bind together
Powers – independent counties or states with military strength
Separate and equal station – independent and equal position
Entitle- to give a right to something
Impel – to force
Section 2
Self-evident – obvious; clear
Endowed – given
Unablienable – not capable of being taken away
Secure – to obtain
Instituted – created
Derive – to obtain from; to come from
Consent – agreement
Alter – to change
Abolish – to end; to get rid of
Organize – arrange in order
Institute – to start; to create
Section 3
Usurpstation – a wrongful taking someone’s rights
Tyranny – a cruel and oppressive government; a power exercised without legal right
Submit – to present or give to another
Candid – truthful; straightforward
Assent – approval
Wholesome – healthy, well being
Public good – what is good for the community
Section 3 (continued)
Dissolve – to dismiss; to close; to end
Dependent – to depend upon; to be based upon
Will – the part of the mind that determines what a person wants or desires
Tenure – period in which they hold their office
Standing army – an army of soldiers ready to fight
Quarter – to house troops in private homes
Impose – to force on someone
Deprive – to take away
Suspend – to temporarily prevent from continuing
Plunder – to steal
Mercenary – a soldier who fights for money; a hired troop
Desolation – complete destruction
Inhabitants – residents; people living in a place
Section 4
Oppression – harsh and unjust treatment
Petition – (verb) to send a formal written request to an official or government body; (noun) a formal written request
Redress – a remedy; something to correct or make right a problem or an injustice
Section 5
Solemn – formal; sincere; serious
Publish – to make publicly known
Absolve – to release or set free
Allegiance – loyalty to a superior
British Crown – the King
Connection – a link or formal association
Dissolved – ended or eliminated
Commerce – trade