The Declaration of Independence

Warm Up: 11/20What do you see in this image? What famous document is being drafted? Cite evidence from the image to support your idea.

The Declaration of Independence, John TrumbullThis famous painting shows the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In the center is the committee—including John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin—responsible for drafting the Declaration of Independence. Here, they present their final draft to the president of the Continental Congress, John Hancock.

The Declaration of Independence

The war with England begins after the blows at Lexington and Concord… and the Colonists need an officer to lead their Continental army.

You’ve probably seen me on the dollar bill…

GEORGE WASHINGTON IS NOMINATED TO LEAD

THE TROOPS.

(he was

young and

trim back

then!)

The Declaration of Independence

The feud was the British against the colonists, fighting in the American colonies.

King George IIIand the British

The Colonists (Continental Army)

VS.(Lobsterbacks)

(Patriots)

The Declaration of Independence

So battles began near Boston…

The Battle of Bunker Hill

“Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.”-General Israel Putnam, Patriots

1,000 British troops killed, 500 Patriots killed

The Siege of Boston

• Washington rounded up guns, cannons, and gunpowder

• Patriots surrounded Boston• British troops in Boston retreated by

boat to Canada

The Declaration of Independence

Colonists realized they had to fight for their freedom.

Olive Branch Petition

Olive branch = symbol of peace

Petition sent to King George III to ask him to end the fight between Britain and the colonies.

King George called the colonists traitors so the colonists decided to fight for their freedom.

Common Sense

• By Thomas Paine• Expressed outrage at the British • 120,000 copies sold• Helped develop camaraderie in the

colonies and convinced colonists to fightfor their freedom.

The Declaration of Independence

A Formal Statement of Independence

July 4, 1776

Thomas Jefferson = main author

Benjamin

Franklin

offered adviceJohn Adams

offered advice

God gives people certain rights that can’t be taken away. King George has been a tyrant and has abused the rights of the colonists.

“The United Colonies are… freeand independent states.”

Imagine…

... you wake up to discover that 100 middle-schoolers have been stranded on an island. There is no boat, no plane, no way off. You hear the sound of a fresh-water stream, and you see a jungle where there is likely to be food and materials you can use to build shelter. You have no modern technology to help you and no adults to tell you what to do. There are no rules and no one in charge.

• What happens?

State of Nature

• John Hobbes– Man is by nature selfishly

individualistic– Man constantly at war

with other men– Fear of violent death is

sole motivation to create civilizations

– Men need to be controlled by absolute sovereignty to avoid brutish behavior

• John Locke– Men are by nature

reasonable creatures– In a state of nature all

men should be free to govern own actions

– reason teaches that "no one ought to harm another in his life, liberty, and or property”

– Harming another’s rights should be punished

What do you think?

• Do people have natural rights? If so, what are they?

Scan the Declaration

1. What does the Preamble say?

2. What are some key ideas expressed in the second paragraph?

3. Look at the long list beginning with the words “He has refused his Assent.” What is this a list of?

Scan the Declaration (2)

1. Can you connect any of the charges to events you have learned about before?

2. What do the representatives solemnly declare in the last paragraph?