Declaration of Independence

​The Declaration of
Independence

The document that granted freedom to the colonies.

Why Did We Need Independence?

After all the colonies met together, at what was called the Second Continental Congress, they decided they needed independence. Freedom from Great Britain meant they would be free of a king and would have their own government.
Three of the five men chosen are shown here to the right.

​From left to right:
Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson

What Was Said in the Document?

This document, the Declaration of Independence, was essentially a break-up letter with Great Britain. The American Colonies no longer wanted British control and this told them that. This document also expressed the ideas of what it meant to be an American and what independence truly meant.

What Was Said in the Document?

The Declaration of Independence also said something super important that we still keep true today:

​All men are created equal and have certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

​This idea in the DoI means that all Americans have the right to their lives and choices.

Life

​This idea in the DoI means that all Americans have choices in their life, and that they are not forced to live a certain way.

​​Liberty

This idea in the DoI means that all Americans can choose to do what makes them happy, and do not have to do anything they don't want... within reason!

​​Pursuit of Happiness

​The Ideas of the Declaration

Multiple Choice

From which country did the American Colonies gain their independence?

• Great Britain
• France
• Portugal
• Spain

Multiple Select

Choose the 3 freedoms given in the Declaration of Independence.

• Life

• Religion

• Liberty

• Pursuit of Happniess

• Representation

Labeling

Label the three founding fathers in this picture of the drafting of the Declaration of Independence.

Drag labels to their correct position on the image

Thomas Jefferson

Benjamin Franklin

John Adams

George Washington