Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence

​July 4, 1776

Multiple Choice

Why did the colonists write the Declaration of Independence?

• To officially break away from Britain

• As a final attempt at peace with Britain

• To form the U.S. military

• To get France on their side

SECTIONS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

​1. Preamble

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​2. Declaration of Rights

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​3. Grievances against the Crown

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​4. Statement of Independence

Multiple Select

What are the four parts of the DOI?

• Preamble

• Declaration of Rights

• Olive Branch Petition

• Grievances against the Crown

• Statement of Independence

IDEAS TAKEN FROM BRITISH PHILOSOPHER JOHN LOCKE

• ​Political Philosopher

• Had a big influence on American Revolutionaries

• ​Wrote that revolution against tyranny is a right people have

• ​Believed in religious freedom

• ​Believed in natural rights, like "life, liberty, pursuit of happiness"

• ​Influenced Declaration and Constitution

​John Locke

​1632 - 1704

Multiple Choice

Which of these did philosopher John Locke NOT believe in?

• religious freedom

• life, liberty, pursuit of happiness

• Kings should always be in charge

• revolution against tyranny is a right of the people

Multiple Choice

English philosopher John Locke had a big influence on patriots fighting in the war against the British.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

What are unalienable rights?

• rights that can't be taken away

• rights that can be denied

• rights that are temporary

• rights that can be removed at any time

Multiple Choice

What do they mean by "self-evident"?

• secret

• unknown

• special

• obvious

DECLARATION OF RIGHTS

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

...it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Multiple Choice

Does the government have absolute power over the people?

• Yes

• No

GRIEVANCES AGAINST THE CROWN

• Quartering of Soldiers

• Standing Armies in the Colonies

• Taxation without Representation

• Forbidding the Colonial Legislatures from passing laws

• Failure to enforce laws

• No Trial by Jury

• Making it hard for Colonists to participate in Government

Multiple Select

Which one of these was NOT a grievance against King George III?

• Quartering of soldiers

• Taxation without representation

• Forgiving French and Indian War debt

• Standing Armies

STATEMENT OF INDEPENDENCE

​We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Multiple Select

What powers does an independent nation have (pick 3)?

• waging war

• converting tourists to Christianity

• trading with other countries

• making peace treaties

• seizing ships from other nations

Multiple Choice

Which country did the colonists declare independence from?

• France

• Spain

• Great Britain

• United States