Declaration of Independence

​The 3 Parts of the Declaration of Independence

1. Argument that all people have unalienable rights to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

2. King James had violatedtheir rights and broke the social contract.

3. The colonies had the right to break away because the British had broken the social contract to protect them.

​What are 3 basic unalienable rights?

1. Life

2. Liberty

3. Pursuit of Happiness

​Whose job is it to protect the basic rights of the people?

The government (and King in this case) is supposed to protect the rights of the people. If the King agrees to protect the colonist's rights, the colonists will obey the laws.​

​What should the people (colonists) do if their rights are not being protected?

The colonists should change or get rid of that government as long as it was over a really big issue.

​Why do you think the colonists listed the things the King did wrong in the second part of the Declaration of Independence?

The colonists were presenting evidence about the ways the King was not protecting their rights and it was a BIG DEAL!!

​Do you think the colonists were justified in declaring their independence from the King of England?

If you say yes, give good reasons

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If you say no, give good reasons​