2.2 Declaration

2.2 Declaration

Background Info

The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776.  The document announced that the thirteen American colonies were at war with the Kingdom of Great Britain, and that they regarded themselves as a newly independent nation. The document has four main parts - an introduction, a preamble that outlines a general philosophy of government, an indictment or list of particular charges or grievances against the King of England, and finally a denunciation that made the case for independence.  

Open Ended

Why do you think it is “too late to apologize”?

#1: The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution by Bernard Bailyn (1967)

Open Ended

Why did the Founders write the Declaration of Independence?

Claim: The Founders wrote the Declaration of Independence because…

#2: from A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn (1980)

Open Ended

Why did the Founders write the Declaration of Independence?

Claim: The Founders wrote the Declaration of Independence because…

*If the grievance seems to be something that would affect only the rich and powerful, CHOOSE O (for ONLY rich and powerful)

*If the grievance seems to be something that would affect all the colonists, CHOOSE A (for ALL the colonists)

*If you don’t know who would be affected, CHOOSE ‘?’

4 Things to Remember

• The Declaration of Independence was based on the ideas of the European Enlightenment.  It is based on the social contract theory of government.  This theory says that people owe loyalty only to a government that acts in their best interests.

• The Declaration says that the rights of the people are based on natural law – a higher law than the laws made by men.  Natural rights are rights that belong to people simply because they are human, not because kings or governments give these rights to the people.  These rights include: “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”  According to the Declaration, the existence of natural rights is “self-evident” (unquestionable).  Even more important, natural rights are “unalienable” (unable to be taken away).

4 Things to Remember

• The Declaration states that the main reason for government is to protect the natural rights of citizens.  If a government fails to live up to this responsibility, says the Declaration, then the people have the right to change that government and create a new one.

• Lastly, the Declaration of Independence argues that the government gets its power from “the consent of the governed.”  In other words, people are the source of power in government.  They must give their “consent” (permission) to be governed.  If a government does not respond to the will of the people (what the people want), then that government is not legitimate.

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