Declaring Independence
British Wrongs Section Quotes that I Need to Memorize
- "For quartering large bodies of armed troops" - "For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world"
Quotes that I need to memorize
- "When in the course of human events..." - "... all men are created equal..." - "... Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." - "... from the consent of the governed." - "... alter or abolish it..." - "... for light and transient causes..." - "... these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States..."
Why is this quote the most important in the Lee Resolution, and what does this quote do in the Declaration of Independence: "... these united colonies are, and of right out to be, free and independent states..."
- It's the most important line in the Lee Resolution, because it's the line that proposes independence. - In the Declaration of Independence, this is the line that declares independence.
When people should and shouldn't change governments, and their likeliness to do so: "Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed." What does "Prudence" mean? What is this quote saying?
- Prudence means Wisdom - The quote is saying that it's more likely that people will complain and endure their old government, because people like what they're accustomed to, so things have to be really bad for them to try to establish a whole new government. - Governments shouldn't be changed or abolished for things that are temporary (light and transient causes).
What is the first and second self evident truth in: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."
- The first self evident truth is that "all men are created equal" - The second is that all people are born endowed by their creator with certain rights that include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
What is the purpose of government and where does government get its power from according to this: "That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from consent of the governed"
- The purpose of government is to secure our inalienable rights (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness). - The government gets its power from "the consent of the governed" (the permission of the people).
The Second Continental Congress
-A group of delegates from 13 colonies that met in Philadelphia beginning in May of 1775. Members were chosen by their respective colonies. -The number of delegates per colony varied, but each colony only had one vote. -The president of the Second Continental Congress was John Hancock.
Steps Following Independence
-After the final version of the Declaration is approved by the Second Continental Congress, it goes into effect on JULY 4, 1776. -At this point, the colonies are no longer colonies, but STATES. -Each state had to write a state constitution and form a state government. -Copies of the Declaration, printed by the Second Continental Congress, are given to each of the states. -A committee begins to work on a form of national government for the former colonies and comes up with THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION, America's first national government. -Although they have declared independence, in order to secure their independence, they have to win the war against the British.
Historical Context-B (The influence of Common Sense)
-Common Sense was a pamphlet published in 1776 written by English-born author Thomas Paine. -The pamphlet was a best seller and widely read throughout the colonies. It was so popular because it was written in such plain, persuasive language that it had a very broad appeal. -Common Sense argued that America should be independent and a democracy.
Key Decisions made by Second Continental Congress
-Create a Continental Army and appoint George Washington as commander of it. -Send Olive Branch Petition to England. -Declare Independence
King George III's reaction
-Declares colonies in state of rebellion. -Hires Hessians (German mercenaries). -Sends large military force to America.
Why was George Washington chosen?
-He is a Virginian, which helps bring the south into the war. -He has military experience from the French and Indian War (he was the commander of the Virginia militia). -He had the reputation of being a man of great character and would be well-respected by the soldiers.
Key Dates
-May 1775 - the Second Continental Congress convenes -January 1776- publishing of Thomas Paine's Common Sense -JUNE 7 1776 The Lee Resolution (Richard Henry Lee proposes independence to the Second Continental Congress) -JULY 4, 1776 The United States becomes independent from Britain. (of course, we still had to beat the British in a war, so the Revolution was far from over....)
Historical Context-A (Simultaneous acts of rebellion and reconciliation)
-Second Continental Congress sends the Olive Branch Petition to England, asking for a repeal of the Intolerable Acts and to be treated fairly as British subjects. It also pledges loyalty to the king. -Second Continental Congress creates the Continental Army, America's first professional army. -Virginian George Washington is chosen to be commander in chief of the army. (He is nominated by John Adams).
The Lee Resolution proposed what?
1) Independence 2) Foreign Alliances 3) Form a national government that's a confederation (A committee was formed to write the ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION, America's first form of national government.)
The Lee Resolution Proposal
1) Resolved, That 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, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved. 2) That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances. 3) That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation.
Impact of Common Sense- How Did Americans React?
Common Sense was a bestseller (500,000 copies were sold in the first six months).
What is the Declaration of Independence?
Document that declared the United States independent from Britain and that a new country would be formed out of its former colonies.
What does Jefferson say that we can now do since we're free?
He says that we can: - Levy War- Fight another country in war - Conclude Peace- Make peace with other countries - Contract Alliances- Make alliances/treaties with other countries - Establish Commerce- To trade with other countries
What do the framers pledge/risk?
In the Declaration it says, and I need to memorize this,: "... our Lives, our Fortunes and our Sacred Honor." The framers are really risking everything, which is the significance of this line.
Impact of Common Sense- American Political Views
It had an impact on the average people. It convinced many that we should be independent, it makes the idea of independence popular.
What does this quote mean: "In every state of these oppressions [...] is unfit to be the ruler of a free people."
It means: - We have tried peaceful methods, we sent multiple petitions, but the King is a tyrant and he's unfit to lead. - When you have a really bad leader, they're not fit to rule a free people.
The Declaration of Independence: Organization and Key Arguments (Organization)
Part 1: Natural Rights -Explains why the Declaration has been written -Makes a philosophical argument: discusses the principles of human rights and their responsibilities of government Part 2: British Wrongs -Lists how Britain has violated these principles by listing the grievances against George the III Part 3: Declaring Independence -Declares that America is now known as the United States of America, and is free and independent from Britain. -Says that the new nation is "open for business": can make war, sign treaties, enter alliances with foreign nations, and establish commerce.
The Lee Resolution
Richard Henry Lee, a delegate from Virginia to the Second Continental Congress, proposed independence on June 7, 1776
The Lee Resolution Seconded
Seconded by Massachusetts delegate John Adams and put to the Second Continental Congress for a vote, who approved it. By approving the resolution, they were deciding to declare independence.
The Committee of Five
The Second Continental Congress decided a formal declaration should be written and formed a committee to write it. The members on this Committee were Thomas Jefferson (Virginia, the primary author of the document), John Adams (Massachusetts, who helped edit the document and asked Jefferson to write it), and Ben Franklin (Pennsylvania, who helped edit the document). Committee members also included Roger Sherman (Connecticut) and Robert Livingston (New York).
What were the supporting arguments that Thomas Pain had?
The supporting arguments that Paine had were: 1) Monarchy= Terrible form of government 2) Mercantilism= Great for Britain, awful for America 3) Why should a small, far away, country rule over a big one? 4) America would always be dragged into British wars, ruining our trade. 5) America was not a British nation-- people from America came from all over Europe. 6) As "mothers" go, Britain isn't a very nice one...
Setting up the next section (British Wrongs): "Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessary which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government." What is this line?
This line is where Jefferson finally relates the Declaration of Independence to the current colonies.
When people should and shouldn't change governments, and their likeliness to do so: "But when a long train of abuse and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under the absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." What is this quote saying?
This quote is saying that: - You are obliged to overthrow your government when there is "a long train of abuses and usurpations" designed to "reduce [you] under absolute Despotism." - It is your right and your duty to your government if they oppress, abuse, and overthrow you multiple times.
Statement of independence from Britain: "We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent Staes; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved" What is this quote saying?
This quote is saying: God/Supreme Judge of the world, I hope we're doing the right thing, but we, Congress, are going to declare our Independence
Rights of the people to alter or abolish government: "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." What are the ways people can alter government, and what does alter mean? What are the forms of government that have been abolished in the U.S., and what does abolish mean?
WAYS PEOPLE CAN ALTER (CHANGE) THE GOVERNMENT: - Amend the Constitution - Impeach the President - Expel members of Congress - Petition or protest or boycott the government or put social or economic pressure on the government - Vote people in and out of office FORMS OF GOVERNMENT THAT HAVE BEEN ABOLISHED (GOTTEN RID OF) IN THE U.S.: - We peacefully abolished the Articles of Confederation - We violently abolished the British monarchy through fighting the Revolutionary War
What does this mean: "When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary and proper for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the Earth the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and Natures' god entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes that impel them to the separation."
When a nation wants to break away from another nation and become a great nation themselves, it's necessary for them to explain why they are breaking away.
Setting up the next section (British Wrongs): "The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world." With this line, what is he setting up?
With this line, Jefferson is setting up the next section. He's saying that Britain has abused us, and now I'll prove it to you.
