Declaration of Independence

1. Declaration of Independence Margaret Johnson Harold Washington College

2. Preamble The reasons for writing things down: When in the course of human events… Necessary to: Dissolve political bands (nice way of saying what?) Assume separate and equal status: Among the Powers of Earth Laws of Nature and Nature’s God entitles Respect to (of) the Opinions of Mankind requires: declare the causes that impel separation…

3. Drafting the Declaration of Independence • Here are three out of the five members of the drafting committee for a declaration of independence. Thomas Jefferson is standing, Benjamin Franklin sits reading, and John Adams sits in between. Missing are Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston. The scene is Jefferson's apartments in Philadelphia. This was painted around 1900 by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris.

4. Statement of Beliefs We hold these Truths to be self-evident: all Men are created equal Endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights Rights include: Life Liberty The Pursuit of Happiness

5. Statement of Beliefs– cont’d • Governments derive rights to govern from the consent of the people. If govt. becomes destructive: People can break contract It is their duty to abolish it!

6. From left to right are Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman. Drafting the Declaration of Independence

7. List of complaints • What offenses compelling enough to spell out? • … unfit to be a rule because…. • Didn’t pass some laws, passed other laws… • Called the legislative body to meet too often… • Dissolved the legislative body • Not allowed migration to colonies by foreigners • Obstructed Judges, made too many new judges • Created to many new administrators • What other specific events mentioned?

8. Prior Attempts to Redress Grievances • (claims to have tried to fix things): • …In every stage of these Oppressions we have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms…. • Tried to get the attention of our British Brethren by….

9. Presentation of the Declaration of Independence • Based on a painting by Robert Edge Pine and/or Edward Savage, this view depicts the drafting committee presenting their work to John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress. Thomas Jefferson hands the papers; Benjamin Franklin sits in foreground.

10. Declaration of Independence • WE therefore … • As representatives of the United States of America appeal to the Supreme Judge of the World … • (who elected them to speak for colonists? • What changes in the colonies? • Make war, establish commerce… • Mutually pledge our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor…. WHY?

11. This engraving depicts the members of the Continental Congress emerging from Independence Hall to announce the Declaration of Independence

12. Signers • JOHN HANCOCK, President • Attested, CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary • New Hampshire • JOSIAH BARTLETT • WILLIAM WHIPPLE • MATTHEW THORNTON • Massachusetts-Bay • SAMUAL ADAMS • JOHN ADAMS • ROBERT TREAT PAINE • ELBRIDGE GERRY • Rhode Island • STEPHEN HOPKINS • WILLIAM ELLERY

13. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) • This is a portrait of Benjamin Franklin wearing bifocals and fur hat. He was an inventor, diplomat and politician in early American history

14. John Hancock (1737-1793) • John Hancock was a wealthy Boston shipping magnate. He was the first signer of the Declaration of Independence.

15. Portrait of Thomas Jefferson • This portrait of President Thomas Jefferson was painted by Charles Wilson Peale in 1791.

16. Samuel Adams (1722-1803) • Samuel Adams was a revolutionary politician and rebel of the American colonial period from Boston. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, member of the Continental Congress and a governor of Massachusetts. This is an engraving published by Johnson, Fry & Co. Publishers, New York from the original picture by Alonzo Chappel.