Declaration of Independence: What Does it Mean?

What does this mean?

"We hold these truths to be self-evident"

• They are given by God.

• We think this is true and obvious.

• Rights that cannot be taken

• We make governments to protect these rights.

What does this mean?

"that all men are created equal"

• They are given by God.

• Government power comes from what the people want.

• We think this is true and obvious.

• All people are equals.

What does this mean?

"that they are endowed by their Creator"

• The rights to live freely and choose what makes you happy.

• With rights that cannot be taken.

• They are given by God.

• We think this is true and obvious.

What does this mean?

"with certain unalienable rights"

• With rights that cannot be taken.

• All people are equals.

• We make governments to protect these rights.

• Government power comes from what the people want.

What does this mean?

"that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness"

• We think these things are true and obvious.

• They are given by God.

• The rights to live freely and choose what makes you happy.

• With rights that cannot be taken.

What does this mean?

"That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men"

• We make governments to protect these rights.

• The rights to live freely and choose what makes you happy.

• Government power comes from what the people want.

• All people are equals.

What does this mean?

"deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed"

• With rights that cannot be taken.

• They are given by God.

• All people are equals.

• Government power comes from what the people want.

What is the purpose of a country's government, according to the Declaration of Independence?

Draw one of the freedoms you are thankful to have.

BONUS! Put the boxes in the correct order to form the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence.

• Deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed

• We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal

• That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men

• That among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness

• That they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights