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Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence. Government and Law Unit I Foundations of the American Political System. Essential Questions. Why do we have rules/laws? Who should govern/rule?    What are the roles and responsibilities of government? What rights should all human beings have?.

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Declaration of Independence

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  1. Declaration of Independence Government and Law Unit I Foundations of the American Political System

  2. Essential Questions • Why do we have rules/laws? • Who should govern/rule?    • What are the roles and responsibilities of government? • What rights should all human beings have?

  3. The Continental Congress • Est. in 1774 to protest acts of the British • June 1775: appoints George Washington as commander of the military • June 1776: appoints a Committee of Five to draft a statement presenting to the world the colonies' case for independence • Jefferson, with help from other committee members, drafts Declaration of Indep. • July 4, 1776:Continental Congress adopts Declaration of Indep.

  4. Declaration: Overview • 1st: begins with a statement of premises and assumptions • 2nd: lists evidence to support those premises in the series of claims beginning with "He" (in reference to King George of England) • 3rd: Declares Independence

  5. Declaration: Part I • ¶ 1: "When, in the course . . .” • why the American colonists decided to state their position before that start of a declared war • 18th Century - unusual for common people to voice their opinions • "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God” - revolutionary notion: the traditional belief was that king and his nobles ruled by divine right • asserts that humanity, like the natural world, operates under laws which even a king must obey.

  6. Declaration: Part I • ¶ 2: "We hold these truths . . .” • "Truths" that are "self-evident" are premises that need no support • claims that follow were the most revolutionary and the most critical • everyone is created equal • everyone has certain rights, including: life, liberty, pursuit of happiness • governments are formed, by the consent of those governed, to protect those rights; if that consent is lost, any government can be abolished or replaced.

  7. Declaration: Part II • ¶ 3+: the Evidence: • The long list of charges brought against George III • “He has . . . . “

  8. Declaration: Part III • Final 3 ¶’s • Explains that colonists have tried to work this out peaceably • Have warned the British People • The British people have failed to listen • Therefore, we declare our independence

  9. Activity • Read the Declaration of Independence contained on pp. 306-307 in your book • Complete the Declaration of Independence analysis sheet with a partner.

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