Read the following descriptions and excerpts from the Declaration of Independence and answer the questions that follow.
The list of 27 complaints against King George III constitute the proof of the right to rebellion. Congress cast “the causes which impel them to separation” in universal terms for an international audience. Join our fight, reads the subtext, and you join humankind’s fight against tyranny.
The Declaration of Independence was designed for multiple audiences: the King, the colonists, and the world. It was also designed to multitask. Its goals were to rally the troops, win foreign allies, and to announce the creation of a new country. The introductory sentence states the Declaration’s main purpose, to explain the colonists’ right to revolution. In other words, “to declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” Congress had to prove the legitimacy of its cause. It had just defied the most powerful nation on Earth. It needed to motivate foreign allies to join the fight.
Check off the three main audiences of the Declaration of Independence.
These are the lines contemporary Americans know best: “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.” These stirring words were designed to convince Americans to put their lives on the line for the cause. Separation from the mother country threatened their sense of security, economic stability, and identity. The preamble sought to inspire and unite them through the vision of a better life.
When Thomas Jefferson wrote "all men are created equal," he also meant that all women and enslaved people should also be given the same rights as white men.
Why did the authors of the Declaration of Independence list 27 different complaints against the British king?
The most important and dramatic statement comes near the end: “That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States.” It declares a complete break with Britain and its King and claims the powers of an independent country.
Towards the end of the Declaration of Independence, the American people declare that they have created their own independent country.
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another...
Which of the following is the best translation for the underline portion of this excerpt?
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
According to this statement, why do we have governments?
Think about what governments looked like before the American Revolution and what the Declaration of Independence said governments should look like. List three differences between these two situations. You may consider questions like:
- why do we have governments?
- who has power?
- where does power/authority come from?
- what rights do people have?
- what happens if a government doesn't respect people's rights?
Check off the three main purposes of the Declaration of Independence.
What do you think the word "unalienable" means?
Check off the three unalienable rights that were specifically listed in the Declaration of Independence.
Which of the following ideas in our history is most closely related to this excerpt?
According to this statement, where do governments get their power?