Declaration of Independence Unit 2 Declaration of Independence

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Declaration of Independence Unit 2

Declaration of Independence Unit 2

Declaration of Independence • More than a year after the American Revolution, the Declaration

Declaration of Independence • More than a year after the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia • Declaration of Independence listed various reasons as to the colonists wanted to separate from England • Declaration of Independence also announced the existence of a new nation

Declaration of Indepence • Written by Thomas Jefferson and a committee from the Second

Declaration of Indepence • Written by Thomas Jefferson and a committee from the Second Continental Congress (1775) • June 7, 1776 – Richard Henry Lee of Virginia stated “These united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states. ” • July 4, 1776 – The Declaration of Independence was signed and adopted

Declaration of Independence • Declaration can be divided into 3 parts: 1. a statement

Declaration of Independence • Declaration can be divided into 3 parts: 1. a statement of principle concerning the rights of a man and why the revolution was necessary 2. a list of specific grievances against England’s King George III 3. a formal claim of independence “We hold these truths to be self-evident, 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. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. ”

The Declaration is Read • July 8, 1776 – Liberty Bell is rung in

The Declaration is Read • July 8, 1776 – Liberty Bell is rung in Philadelphia to call the people for the 1 st reading of the Declaration • Signers names of the Declaration were not made public for 6 months due to safety • Once revealed, many were seized by the British, thrown into prison and their homes were burned.

The Declaration is Read • After Congress adopted the Declaration, John Dunlap printed copies

The Declaration is Read • After Congress adopted the Declaration, John Dunlap printed copies of it • 24 are known to exist (two are located in the Library of Congress) • Original Declaration was exhibited for several years until light and air threatened its existence • 1921 – Transferred to Library of Congress • 1952 – Placed in the National Archives building in Washington, D. C

The Declaration is Read • Important fact was not declaring our independence but creating

The Declaration is Read • Important fact was not declaring our independence but creating our principles and beliefs • All men are created equal • All men have rights • Governments are subject to the will of the people • Declaration is no a constitution or form of government • Served to set up principles for a new government • These principles were used in writing the United States Constitution Declaration of Independence Video