Declaring Independence

Declaring Independence

In this chapter, we will understand the people and events associated with the Declaration of Independence, tell why it is important and identify its key political concepts.

Multiple Choice

What does “taxation without representation” mean?

• taxing someone who does not live in the country

• not taxing a certain group of people

• taxing someone without giving them a voice in government

• taxing everyone the same amount

Multiple Select

After news of the fight of Lexington and Concord, colonial leaders met in the Second Continental Congress. What were some of the decisions made at the Second Continental Congress?

• The colonies should prepare for the war.

• set up the Continental Army

• select George Washington as commander in chief of the army

• created the Continental currency

• give up and pay taxes to Britain.

Moving Towards Independence

• During the Second Continental Congress, it was decided they would write a Declaration of Independence from Britain.

• Thomas Paine helped shape the colonists ideas with his writing Common Sense, he expressed how the colonists should rule themselves. This is one of the main reasons many people in the colonists called for independence.

• Richard Henry Lee told the delegates during the Second Continental Congress that the 13 colonies no longer owed loyalty to the king, and led to the writing of a formal statement of independence.

• John Adams argued strongly for independence as well, he said that it was their only way towards liberty.

• Congress chose a committee to write the declaration to be sent to the king. Thomas Jefferson was selected to write the first draft.

Multiple Choice

Thomas Paine's text Common Sense and the work done in the Second Continental Congress are some of the reasons why many people in the colonies called for independence.

• True

• False

The Declaration of Independence

• Thomas Jefferson carefully wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence.

• In the first parts, he told why they needed the declaration and explained why the colonies had to separate from Britain to form a new nation.

• The next part describes the colonists' ideas about government, stated their rights to be free, and seek their own happiness.

• The longest part of the Declarations listed the colonists' complaints agains the king and Parliament.

Poll

What do you think it's the most important part of the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson?

• The preamble, where he says why the Declaration is needed.

• The part where he explains the equality and rights of the people.

• The list of complaints agains Britain.

• The last parts, where he states that the colonies were free and independent.

Congress Approves the Declaration

• On July 2, 1776, the delegates voted to approve separation from Britain, and now the colonies thought of themselves as independent states and free to make their own laws.

• On July 4, 1776, Congress voted to accept the Declaration of Independence final wording.

• Four days later, July 8, 1776, large crowds gathered to listen to the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.

• John Adams was especially pleased will all the celebrations, he wrote a letter to his wife, Abigail Adams, saying that Independence Day should be celebrated by succeeding generations.

Open Ended

The Declaration of Independence was delivered by horseback to all the colonies in July 5. The declaration was publicly read throughout the colonies in the next couple of months. It was also reprinted in the newspapers.

How would the public learn of an important document today?

A Dangerous Decision

• John Hancock was the president of Congress and the first one to sign the Declaration of Independence.

• Signing the Declaration was dangerous because King George III had promised to do whatever was necessary to crush the colonists' rebellion, and if the Americans lost the war, Britain could punish them by treason.

• The colonists had to unite against Britain.

The Declaration's Importance

• Only white men who owned property were allowed to vote, and many people believed this was unfair.

• It would take many years for women, African Americans, Native Americans, and other groups to share what the Declaration of Independence promised.

• However, it inspired people around to world to fight for freedom and equal rights.

Multiple Choice

Why were the delegates of the Continental Congress worried about signing the Declaration of Independence?

• They worried the Native Americans and women were sad they couldn't vote.

• They did not know how to write laws and enforce them.

• They knew they would be accused of treason if Britain won the war.

Multiple Choice

What is one of the major accomplishments of the Declaration of Independence?

• It has taught colonists to grow crops and build forts.

• It has inspired people around the world to fight for equal rights and freedom.

• Britain's King George III understood that the colonies had to be independent and gave them their freedom peacefully.

• All answers are correct.

Forming a New Government

• In the Second Continental Congress, another committee was set up to plan how to unite the 13 colonies. John Dickinson was elected head of this committee.

• This committee decided that each colony would make its own government, but would work together on national issues.

• The committee wrote the First Plan of government for the United States and called it the Articles of Confederation.

Multiple Choice

When was the Declaration of Independence signed?

• July 4 1776

• July 17, 1776

• July 4, 1774

• August 2, 1776

Multiple Choice

__________________ was one of the major authors of the Declaration of Independence.

• King George

• Thomas Jefferson

• Abraham Lincoln

• Mrs. Oliver

Multiple Choice

What holiday do we celebrate as a result of the Declaration of Independence?

• Labor Day

• Fourth of July

• Memorial Day

• Presidents Day

Multiple Choice

Why was the Declaration of Independence written?

• American Colonist were declaring independence from Britain.

• The American people had the right to govern their own people.

• Americans believed people are born with certain rights and freedoms that cannot be taken away.

• All the above