Declaration of Independence Declaration of Independence Rough Draft

Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence Rough Draft of Declaration courtesy of American Mind Collection • Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. • It took him two weeks. • Congress voted to accept it on July 4, 1776.

The document that changed a nation. § § § This image of the Declaration is from an engraving. The printer was William J. Stone. The engraving was done in 1823. Most used version of Declaration. Photo courtesy of the National Archives.

Five Parts of the Declaration § § § Preamble Statement of Human Rights Charges against King and Parliament Statement of Separation Signatures

What is a Preamble? § § § A preamble is an introductory statement. Introductory part of a constitution or statute. States the reasons for and intent of the law.

Preamble When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another…

Statement of Human Rights We hold these truths to be selfevident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Statement of Human Rights § Government is formed to protect rights. § Britain no longer protecting colonists’ rights. § People have a right to change the government.

Charges Against the King and Parliament § § List of 27 complaints Some of the complaints included: § § Cutting off trade Imposing taxes without consent Depriving colonists of Trial by Jury Keeping Standing Armies without consent of legislatures

King George III reads the Declaration of Independence. King George reads the colonist complaints listed on the Declaration of Independence document. (Martin is playing the role of King George. )

Statement of Separation § Colonies are united. § All connections with Great Britain are dissolved. § States have power and authority to: § levy war § conclude peace and contract alliances § establish commerce

Signatures § § 56 men signed the document. Oldest signer was Benjamin Franklin. (70) The youngest was Edward Rutledge. (26) Most famous was John Hancock.

American Memory Collection: Signing of the Declaration U. S. Capitol paintings. Signing of the Declaration of Independence, painting by John Trumbull in U. S. Capitol, detail with Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin II.

Declaration Resources § Visit American Memory Collection: http: //memory. loc. gov/ § Visit Library of Congress Top Treasures. § http: //www. loc. gov/exhibits/treasures/ § § § Visit Signers Fact Sheet courtesy of National Archives. http: //www. archives. gov/national_archives_expe rience/declaration_signers_gallery. html

The document that changed a nation. § This is a photo of the original Declaration. § It is exhibited in the Rotunda in Washington, DC. § It is extremely faded. § Photo is courtesy of National Archives. § http: //www. archives. gov/natio nal_archives_experience/declar ation. html

Credits This power point presentation was created using the American Memory Collection (AAM) in the Library of Congress. Pictures of Declaration are courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. (NARA) § § § Slide 12: Photo of signing (AAM) Slide 3: Photo of original Document. (NARA) Slide 14: Photo of engraved Document. (NARA)