DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: KEY POINTS

KEY IDEAS IN THE
DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE

With its signing on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of

Independence laid the foundation for a new nation, inspiring

generations to come with its timeless principles.

by George Wells [Gibson

MS]

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Introduction to the Declaration of
Independence

The Fight for
Freedom

The Declaration of Independence was written because Americans wanted to be free and

govern themselves. This idea came from a time of new ways of thinking called the

Enlightenment.

Why We Broke Away

After many years of being treated unfairly by the British government, the leaders of the

colonies decided that it was time to declare their independence.

Thomas Jefferson's Writing

Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence using powerful words to express

the American desire to be free from British rule.

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The Declaration of Independence was written because Americans wanted to be ​

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and ​

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. This idea came from a time of new ways of thinking called the ​

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.

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free

govern themselves

Enlightenment

The Concept of Natural Rights

Our Basic Rights

The Declaration of Independence says that everyone has the right to life,

freedom, and happiness.

Equal and Fair

The Declaration also says that everyone should be treated the same, and that

the law should be fair for everyone.

People Power

The Declaration says that the government gets its power from the people, and

that the government should listen to what the people want.

Open Ended

WHAT DOES THE DECLARATION SAY

ABOUT PEOPLE'S RIGHTS?

The Purpose of Government and its Relationship to the

People

Government's Role: The purpose of government is to protect the rights and interests of the

people.

Popular Sovereignty: The power of government comes from the people, who have the right to

change or remove it if it fails to do its job.

Limiting Governments: The Founding Fathers knew it was important to have checks and

balances to prevent any one part of the government from becoming too powerful.

Multiple Choice

WHAT DOES THE DECLARATION SAY ABOUT

THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENTS?

• GOVERNMENTS ARE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT PEOPLE'S RIGHTS

• GOVERNMENTS SHOULD NOT EXIST

• GOVERNMENTS SHOULD CONFISCATE PROPERTY

• GOVERNMENTS SHOULD MAKE EVERYTHING FREE

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THE DECLARATION ALSO SAYS THAT ​

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GETS IT'S ​

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FROM THE ​

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GOVERNMENT

POWER

PEOPLE

Multiple Choice

TO PREVENT GOVERNMENTS FROM BEING TOO POWERFUL, THE DECLARATION SAYS THAT GOVERNMENT POWER SHOULD BE...

• IN THE HANDS OF A SELECT GROUP OF ELITES

• LIMITED

• EXPANDED

List of Complaints Against King

George III's Government

Unfair Taxes: The colonists disagreed with taxes that were not

fair and were not approved by them.

Loss of Rights: King George III and his government took away

the colonists' rights to speak freely, have their own religion,

and meet together.
Army in the Colonies: The colonists were scared because

British soldiers were in their towns and they could not control

what the soldiers did.
Interfering with Trade: The British government made it hard

for the colonists to make money by controlling their

businesses and not letting them trade with other countries.

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Unfair Taxes: The colonists disagreed with taxes that were not ​

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and were ​

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by them. Loss of Rights: King George Ill and his government took away the colonists' rights to ​

Select answer

, have their own religion, and meet together.

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Army in the Colonies: The colonists were scared because ​

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were in their towns and they could not control what the soldiers did. Interfering with Trade: The British government made it hard for the colonists to ​

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by controlling their businesses and not letting them ​

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with other countries.

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British soldiers

make money

trade

The Colonies' Declaration of

Independence

Courageous Unity

Even though they were different, all thirteen

colonies came together to say they wanted to

be their own country.

A Big Statement

The Declaration said the colonies didn't want

to be part of Great Britain anymore and

wanted to make their own choices.

Multiple Choice

THE DECLARATION SAID THE COLONISTS DIDN'T WANT

TO BE PART OF BRITAIN ANYMORE

• TRUE

• FALSE

The Right of Rebellion and its Justification

1

Tyranny & Self-Defense

The government was being unfair and the people had the right to fight back to

protect themselves.

2

Redress of Grievances

After trying to solve their problems peacefully for a long time, the Founding Fathers

thought they needed to rebel to make things better.

3

A Call to Arms

The Right to Rebel showed a strong commitment to freedom and a willingness to

fight for their rights.

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THE ONLY REASONS, ACCORDING TO THE DECLARATION, TO REBEL AGAINST GOVERNMENT IS WHEN 1)THE GOVERNMENT TREATS PEOPLE ​

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, AND 2)WHEN PEOPLE MUST ​

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The Influence of the Declaration on the

United States and the World

The U.S. Constitution

The ideas in the Declaration

influenced the U.S.

Constitution and the

principles of American

democracy.

Inspiration for Freedom

Movements

The Declaration inspired

freedom movements around

the world, promoting liberty

and equality.

A Symbol of Independence

The Declaration is a symbol

of liberty, freedom, and

independence.

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We hold these Truths to be self- evident, that all Men are created ​

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, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable ​

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, that among these are Life, Liberty and the ​

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equal

Rights

Pursuit of Happiness