The Declaration of Independence Background to Declaration of

The Declaration of Independence

Background to Declaration of Independence n n n Mercantilism: economic policy from 1500 -1800 in which nations encouraged exports as a means of collecting gold and silver Government controls all trade Colonies ensured a safe and steady stream of raw materials for England, including fur, fish, cotton, tobacco, and indigo Colonies were expected to import manufactured and processed goods like iron products and tea Navigation Act: England regulated what its colonies could and could not trade

Background to the Declaration of Independence n n n After England won the French and Indian War, King George III demanded control over the colonies King George and Parliament felt the colonists should bear some of the costs and administration of the areas acquired from France. Parliament passed several new acts designed to shift to the Americans some of the cost of defense

Background to the Declaration of Independence n n n Stamp Act: required that all printed materials be stamped to indicate that tax had been paid England began to change trade policies as well by used a new monopoly on tea Colonists were angered over the taxes “No taxation without representation” Stamp Act was repealed in 1766 Boston Massacre 1770 rioting over taxes and the British soldiers killed a man outside of the courthouse in Boston. Crispus Attucks first to die

Why Did the Declaration of Independence Happen? n n n Boston Tea Party: a group of angry colonists boarded 3 ships in Boston and threw the tea overboard Intolerable Acts series of laws designed to punish the people of Massachusetts. It limited the power of the colonial legislature, required quartering of British soldiers and closed the port of Boston First Continental Congress formed

Second Continental Congress 17751776 n n n Convened May 19, 1775 George Washington appointed Commander in Chief of the Continental Forces Appointed 5 men to write a declaration stating the colonies intent and reasons for independence June 1775 56 delegates met and debated, each colony had one vote Deliberated for one year January 1776 Common Sense by Thomas Paine explained why there should be independence to the public

Resolution of Differences n n n Second Continental Congress drafted the Declaration of Independence. Approved for signature July 2 July 4 1776 Declaration written by Thomas Jefferson was signed, John Hancock signed first with the largest signature Severed ties with Great Britain

Declaration of Independence n n n n Thomas Jefferson understood what the actions entailed Wanted to make sure the document explained why the colonists wanted to separate The second paragraph lays down the philosophy for the decision. “All men are equal” Government was to protect “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, ” fundamental rights of all When the government failed to do so, citizens have a right to overthrow it Overthrow is not for trivial reasons, but when treatment becomes “absolute despotism”

Three Basic Principles of the Declaration of Independence n n n Natural Rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness Popular Sovereignty: People are the source of political authority Order: Importance of stability, overthrowing a government is only the last resort

List of Grievances that were Improper Actions by the King n n Dismissing colonial legislatures and denying the colonists their right for self-government Tax the colonists without their consent Maintaining an army in the colonies without the consent of the legislature and elevating the military above civilian authority Forcing colonists to house British soldiers in their house

List of Grievances that were Improper Actions by the King n n n n Making judges dependent on the King for their salaries and their tenure in office Refusing colonists the right to a fair trial in front of a jury of their peers Cutting off the trade of the colonies Abolishing the Charters, forms of government, and important laws of the colonies Refusing to address colonial grievances Renouncing the King’s authority to govern the colonies by waging war on them Encouraging domestic violence and Indian attacks on the colonies

Results from the Declaration of Independence n n n n n 86 Changes were made 500 words were taken out 1, 337 words were included 18 signers were under the age of 40 Three were in their 20 s Half of the 56 signers were judges and lawyers 11 were merchants 9 were land owners and farmers 12 were doctors, ministers and politicians

Do you think there were consequences for severing ties with Great Britain? What do you think some might have been?

Impact Today n n n Ideals of equality led to Civil War, Women’s Rights and the Civil Rights Movement Influenced the French Revolution in their Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen in 1789 Latin American Movements of 1890 s Vietnam War: Ho Chi Minh used it as a reason to invade the south During World War II it was kept at Fort Knox KY More than 1 million Americans view it in the National Archives each year