Investigating the Declaration (Group I)
Instructions: In your group, read the section of the Declaration of Independence that has been assigned to you and discuss the questions below (you do not need to write them out). Then, on the bottom of this worksheet rewrite this section in YOUR OWN WORDS.
Part I – The Preamble
A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress assembled.
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 Nature’s God entitled them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
Questions:
- According to this paragraph what is the goal of the writers?
- Why are they writing this document?
- Make a prediction of what will come next in the document based on what you have read in the “Preamble.”
Investigating the Declaration (Group II)
Instructions: In your group, read the section of the Declaration of Independence that has been assigned to you and discuss the questions below (you do not need to write them out). Then, on the bottom of this worksheet rewrite this section in YOUR OWN WORDS.
Part II: Beliefs
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, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. 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.
Questions:
- What rights are the writings claiming that they have?
- According to this paragraph, what is the purpose of the government?
Investigating the Declaration (Group III)
Instructions: In your group, read the section of the Declaration of Independence that has been assigned to you and discuss the questions below (you do not need to write them out). Then, on the bottom of this worksheet rewrite this section in YOUR OWN WORDS.
Part IV: Attempts to Address Grievances
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered 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.
Nor have we been wantingin attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred, to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces of Separation. And hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
Questions:
- How did the colonists try to address these grievances earlier?
- Why did they feel it was necessary to state this in the Declaration?
Investigating the Declaration (Group IV)
Instructions: In your group, read the section of the Declaration of Independence that has been assigned to you and discuss the questions below (you do not need to write them out). Then, on the bottom of this worksheet rewrite this section in YOUR OWN WORDS.
Part V: Declaring Independence
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 the 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 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.
Questions:
- What words from this paragraph actually declare the colonists’ independence?
- What rights and powers do they state that they now have?
The Declaration of Independence: Part III: Grievances
The following are a sampling of the grievances Jefferson used in making his case that the colonies had a right to declare independence.
11. “He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies.”
The Crown had kept an army in the colonies after the French and Indian War without the consent of the colonial legislature.
12. “He has affected to render the Military independent of Civil power.”
The British government had named General Gage governor of Massachusetts.
13. “He has subjected us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution.”
The royal governor had claimed the power (in the Declaratory Act) to make laws for the colonies.
14. “For quartering armed troops among us.”
The Crown has required the colonies to house British troops stationed in America.
15. For protecting them from punishment for murders.”
Parliament had passed a 1774 law permitting British soldiers and officials accused of murder while in Massachusetts to be tried in Britain.
16. “For cutting off our trade.”
Parliament enacted laws restricting colonial rights to trade with foreign nations
17. “For imposing Taxes on us without our consent.”
Parliament has imposed taxes, such as the Sugar Act, without the colonists’ consent.
18. “For depriving us our right to a trial by jury.”
The government had deprived colonists the right to a trial by jury in cases dealing with smuggling.
19. “For taking away our charters.”
The king had repealed Massachusetts charter and made it a royal colony.
23. “waging war against us.”
The Crown had authorized Thomas Gage to use force to keep Massachusetts citizens in line.
25. “He is transporting large Armies of foreign mercenaries.”
The British army hired German mercenaries to fight the colonists.
27. “He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us.”
Virginia’s royal governor had promised to free slaves who joined British forces, and also instigated Native attacks on frontier settlers.