Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence was a formal written statement by Thomas Jefferson addressed to British Parliament in effort to establish a separate government.

Continental Congress

The First Continental Congress was the location where delegates from each colony to discuss colonial resistance and formally declare a separate government (Philadelphia).

Multiple Choice

One of the main purposes of the Declaration of Independence was to establish Governments for the representation of all people.

• True

• False

America Before the Declaration of Independence

Even after the initial battles in the Revolutionary War broke out, few colonists desired complete independence from Great Britain, and those who did–like John Adams– were considered radical.

America Before the Declaration of Independence

In his message to Parliament in October 1775, King George III railed against the rebellious colonies and ordered the enlargement of the royal army and navy. 

Reasons for the Declaration of Independence

• Taxation W/Out Representation

• Excessive use of Acts declared by Parliament

• The unification of a separate government from Great Britain

Multiple Choice

Which philosopher influenced the authors of the declaration of independence?

• Montesquieu

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• Voltaire

• John Locke

Did you Know?

Most Americans did not know Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence until the 1790s; before that, the document was seen as a collective effort by the entire Continental Congress.

Right before the Declaration

The delegates also appointed a five-man committee–including Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Robert R. Livingston of New York–to draft a formal statement justifying the break with Great Britain.

Parts of the Declaration of Independence

• Introduction

• Preamble

• Body 1

• Body 2

• Conclusion

Multiple Choice

Who was not part of the collective effort of drafting the constitution?

• John Adams

• Robert Livingston

• Roger Sherman

• Alexander Hamilton

Preamble

“We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

Continental Congress Holds Vote

Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence later on the Fourth of July (though most historians now accept that the document was not signed until August 2).

Multiple Choice

How many parts are there in the Declaration of Independence?

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 5

Aftermath of the Declaration of Independence

One of the most important effects of the Declaration of Independence was that it allowed the Revolutionary War to be seen as a war between two separate countries instead of a civil war within Britain.

Civil War vs Revolution

• A Civil War is fought between people of same country

• A Revolution is fought to change a system

• The American Revolution was between the U.S. and Great Britain

• The Civil War was between the Union and the Confederacy

The Ultimate Result

By issuing the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the 13 American colonies severed their political connections to Great Britain. The Declaration summarized the colonists' motivations for seeking independence.

Multiple Select

What are the most significant factors of the Declaration of Independence? Select all that apply

• Solidifies Democracy

• Declaring Independence From Great Britain

• Established the first government of the United States

• Distinguished the American Revolution as a war between two countries