The Declaration of Independence

1
The Declaration of Independence
An original copy can be viewed at the National
Archives in Washington, D.C.
2
Background The Continental Congress

• Congress
• (n) A coming together meeting.
• Not necessarily a legislature or government.
• Continental Congress was a gathering of
  representatives of the English Colonies to
  organize protest against the Intolerable Acts
  of the British Government.
• It had not formal authority and lacked the
  essential feature of governmentforceso the
  Continental Congress was not a government.

3
The 2nd Continental Congress

• Did not meet until after fighting had already
  begun between colonial insurgents and British
  troops.
• Battles of Lexington and Concord occurred April
  19, 1775.
• Congress began meeting in May, 1775.
• Created the Continental Army in June, 1775.
• In July 1775 attempted reconciliation with the
  King.
• 1 year later, they finally declared Independence
  from Great Britain.

4
The Legitimacy of Revolution

• Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)
• Argued it was never legitimate to overthrow the
  ruler.
• John Locke (1632-1704)
• Argued that when the government abused the people
  by exercising arbitrary power over their lives
  and property, the people had the right to
  overthrow it and form a new government.
• The Royal Theory of Authority
• The Kings power and authority are given by God.
  To revolt against the King is to revolt against
  God.

5
The Declaration as Justification

• Written by Thomas Jefferson, who followed Lockes
  argument.
• All men are created equal that they are
  endowed. with certain inalienable 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 governed. (Not from God!)
• Therefore, whenever any form of government
  becomes destructive of those ends, it is the
  right of the people to alter or to abolish it.

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The Declaration II

• Most of the Declaration is a list of how the King
  has abused the citizens rightsthis is the
  justification for revolting against authority.
• Read the list.
• Ask yourself, If the U.S. government did these
  things, would I take up arms against them?

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Thinking about Justification of Revolution

• Most of the Declaration is a list of how the King
  has abused the citizens rightsthis is the
  justification for revolting against authority.
• Read the list.
• Ask yourself
• If the U.S. government did these things, would
  we be justified in taking up arms against them?
• If we would be justified, would you take up arms
  against the government?

8
Creating the United States

• We declarethat, these united colonies are, and
  of right ought to be, free and independent
  states
• A state is a country, not a province.
• Notice the pluralindependent statesnot an
  independent state (singular).
• they have full power to levy war, conclude
  peaceand to do all other actswhich independent
  states may of right do.
• They, not We.
• The Declaration of Independence did not create a
  single country called The United States.
• It created a confederation of independent states
  that were united together to fight for their
  independence.

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Questions Declaration of Independence

• What is the origin of peoples rights?
• Do you believe that or not? Why?
• What is the purpose of government?
• Do you agree with that? What does that mean for
  the relationship between the U.S. Government and
  its citizens today?
• What do you think are the most serious complaints
  of the revolutionaries?
• Do these complaints justify a bloody revolution
  against their legitimate government?
• Would we have the right to rebel against our
  government?
• What might our government do that would cause you
  to rebel?
• Did they declare themselves an independent
  country, or independent countries?
• What do you think is the significance of this?