Introduction
Declaration of Independence
The Colonies had had enough of what many believed was an oppressive government. Not only was the British government seen as overreaching, it did not give English citizens what they felt were their rights, and even worse it was a government located over 3000 miles away, something had to give.
While there had been other attempts to avoid splitting away from England, such as the Olive Branch petition, the Declaration of Independence was in essence a list of grievances against the English King.
The Colonies felt the English King has ignored their attempts at redress and thus must create a new form of government with an eye to preventing to much power centralized in on location or entity.
While there had been other attempts to avoid splitting away from England, such as the Olive Branch petition, the Declaration of Independence was in essence a list of grievances against the English King.
The Colonies felt the English King has ignored their attempts at redress and thus must create a new form of government with an eye to preventing to much power centralized in on location or entity.
Once the list had been compiled the Colonial representatives in Philadelphia voted to severe ties with England - leading to the timeline of the American Revolution.
After the war was won the newly formed country needed to create a new government. It was not a easy transition. The fear of a strong a central government led the first government to create the Article of Confederation. The articles gave the states more power than the central government. |
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Questions
- Summarize the content of the Declaration in a three-to-five sentence overview. Basically, what is the Declaration declaring?
- How does the preamble justify America's decision to throw off one government and create another? What part of the justification is "self-evident"? What part must be explained?
- Organize the 27 grievances into three to five groups. Clearly explain the pattern among the groups, e.g., by type of rights violation, severity or frequency of grievance, extent of colonial opposition. What do you discover in the process of organizing the grievances?
Extension Activity
Write an introduction to the Declaration of Independence for a person becoming naturalized as a U.S. citizen. Begin with one of these statements from the readings, or choose another.
- – Samuel Adams: Our Declaration of Independency has given Vigor to the Spirits of the People.
- – John Adams: I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means.
- – The Declaration of Independence: "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown."
adapted from http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/pds/makingrev/rebellion/text8/text8read.htm