Transcript Declaration of Independence

Declaration
of
Independence
It’s Common Sense
Common Sense
• Pamphlet written by Thomas
Paine
• Purpose was to tell the colonists
that it was time to make the break.
• Published January 1776, 500,000
copies sold within 6 months.
Common Sense
• Colonists did not owe loyalty to
King George III.
• Very idea of having Kings or
Queens was wrong.
• Colonists owed nothing to
Britain. They helped colonists
only for their own profits.
Common Sense
• Paine wrote that people should rule
themselves.
• “A government of our own is a
natural right.”
• “Everything that is right or
reasonable pleads for separation.
… ‘Tis time to part.”
• Richard Henry Lee, from Virginia
introduced a resolution in favor of
independence in June, 1776.
• “…these United Colonies are, and
of right ought to be, free and
independent States. ”
SHOULD THEY BREAK?
• If they declared independence,
they were traitors.
Traitor – a person who betrays his
country.
PENALTY: DEATH BY
HANGING
Committee of 5
• Thomas Jefferson, VA
• Benjamin Franklin, PA
• John Adams, MA
• Robert Livingston, NY
• Roger Sherman, CT
John Hancock
• President of
Continental
Congress
• Signed Declaration of
Independence First
• He said that King George will be
able to see his signature without
his glasses
nd
2
July 2, 1776
• Vote to make colonies “free and
independent states”
• Some changes were made.
July 4, 1776
• John Hancock signed document
on that date
Different parts of the Declaration
• Preamble – introduction –
Explains why the document was
written
• “…they should declare the causes
which impel them to the
separation.”
Natural Rights
• Rights belonging to all people
from birth – unalienable/natural
• (based on Locke)
• Life
• Liberty
• Pursuit of Happiness
Natural Rights
• Governments can only exist if
they have the “consent of the
governed”
• If government fails to protect the
rights, then people have the duty
to overthrow the government and
replace it.
British Wrongs
• Quartering British soldiers in
colonists’ homes
• Cutting off trade with all parts of
the world
• Imposing taxes without
representation in Parliament
• Hiring Hessians to fight against
the colonists
Independence
• Last part is the actual Declaration
of Independence.
• They closed the Declaration with a
solemn pledge, pledging their lives,
fortunes, & sacred honor.
• Have the power to declare war, set
up trade, and make treaties.