Declaration of Independence Vocab

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French and Indian War (Seven Years' War)

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(1754-1763) War between France and England in which France lost most of North American territory. Debt from this war caused an increase in taxes and duties on colonists, leading to colonial anger and eventual independence for the 13 American colonies.

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Colony

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A country or area under the full or partial political control of another country, typically a distant one, and occupied by settlers from that country.

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Proclamation of 1763

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Law forbidding English colonists to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains.

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Declaration

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A public statement or announcement.

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Independence

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Freedom from outside control.

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Declaration of Independence (1776) (DOI)

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Written by Thomas Jefferson, ratified by the Second Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776; this document stated grievances against King George III; declared colonies political separation from England; stated unalienable rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness; stated equality of all men.

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Equality

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The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities.

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Preamble (Part 1 of Declaration of Independence)

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Introductory paragraph of the DOI, states purpose of the document, to state reasons for separation from England.

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Statement of rights (Part 2 of the DOI)

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Second part of DOI; states purpose of government, and the right to revolt (John Locke); consent of the governed; list of unalienable rights of life, liberty, property; equality of all men.

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Tyrant

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A cruel and oppressive ruler; used by Jefferson to describe King George III in the DOI.