Loyalist vs Patriots LOYALIST A strong unified British

Loyalist vs. Patriots LOYALIST • • A strong unified British Empire is good for all Colonist are British subjects and should obey British law Taxes are due to pay for the French & Indian War which was fought to protect the colonies American colonies would be weak without Britain Colonies profit from trade with England Colonies are too far away from England to have representation in Parliament, it’s just not practical PATRIOT • • • People have rights government can’t take away, like property Taxation takes away property from citizens (i. e. - money and goods) Colonists don’t have voice in Parliament, so England shouldn't’t tax colonies (No Taxation without Representation) There’s no way colonies could ever be represented in Parliament because it is too far away. Many colonist fought in the French & Indian War (we’ve done our part) British personnel are causing violence, riots, and death. (Boston Massacre & Boston Tea Party)

The Declaration of Independence • The Official Declaration of Independence was agreed upon on July 4 th, 1776 • Its purpose was to justify the Revolution, state that the colonies were independent and to express the nation’s principles • The rest is history!

Declaration of Independence

1. Preamble • The Preamble is similar to an introduction. • It states why the Declaration is being written – to explain why the colonies must break away from Britain. • Jefferson felt that to break away from your government and start a new one, you must have good reasons. © Erin Kathryn 2014

2. Declaration of Rights • The second part of the declaration states why people have rights that cannot be taken away. • It states all people are equal, and have the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness • unalienable rights • Rights that cannot be given or taken away. • When a government tries to take these rights away from the people, the people have the right to change the government. • The people can then form a new government that gives these rights to the people.

3. Bill of Indictment • The third section of the Declaration of Independence is the longest section. • It states all the complaints that the colonists had against the king. • The third section ends by saying the King George III of England was "unfit to be the ruler of a free people. ” • Look at Grievances of D. O. I. worksheet

4. Statement of Independence • The fourth section argues that colonies have to be free to protect their rights. • It states the colonists’ independence from Britain. • This section says the 13 states have the right to make war and peace, to trade, and to do all the things free countries can do.

5. Signatures • The last section is at the bottom of the Declaration of Independence. • In this section, delegates to Congress signed their names. • John Hancock, who was the president of Congress, signed his name in large letters.

5. Signatures • Delaware • George Read • Caesar Rodney • Thomas Mc. Kean • Massachusetts • John Adams • Samuel Adams • John Hancock • Robert Treat Paine • Elbridge Gerry • New Hampshire • Josiah Bartlett • William Whipple • Matthew Thornton • Pennsylvania • George Clymer • Benjamin Franklin • Robert Morris • John Morton • Benjamin Rush • George Ross • James Smith • James Wilson • George Taylor • Rhode Island • Stephen Hopkins • William Ellery

5. Signatures • New York • Lewis Morris • Philip Livingston • Francis Lewis • William Floyd • Georgia • Button Gwinnett • Lyman Hall • George Walton • • • South Carolina Edward Rutledge Arthur Middleton Thomas Lynch, Jr. Thomas Heyward, Jr. • North Carolina • William Hooper • John Penn • Joseph Hewes • Virginia • Richard Henry Lee Francis Lightfoot Lee Carrter Braxton Benjamin Harrison Thomas Jefferson George Wythe Thomas Nelson, Jr. • New Jersey • Abraham Clark • John Hart • Francis Hopkinson • Richard Stockton • John Witherspoon

5. Signatures • Connecticut Huntington • • Samuel • Roger Sherman • Williams Oliver Wolcott • • • Maryland • Charles Carroll • Samuel Chase • Thomas Stone • William Paca

• On July 4 th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was voted on and accepted by the Second Continental Congress. • Signing the Declaration was considered treason to Britain. • Treason is when you go against your own government. • Even with the threat of treason, the delegates signed. • The Declaration was read aloud to crowds all over the colonies. • People cheered and tore down pictures and statues of King George. • The Declaration of Independence marked the moment when Americans chose to rule themselves.

Editorial Assignment • Write an editorial to a colonial paper as either a Loyalist or a Patriot detailing opposition or support for the American independence movement. The editorial should include details to support your position and include references to colonial grievances and rights. • A page long • Follow Rubric for best grade possible (in website) • Due on Wednesday

Example of Editorial