3.3 (How does the Declaration of Independence reflect the colonists' ideas about government?)

Resolution

- Finally informing us that the states are now separated from Britain and that their relationship is now entirely "dissolved." - The colonies were now independent due to the colonists working together and trusting one another (SACRAFICING their lives and "sacred honor") - They were ready to be seen as a strong and independent nation - They tried many times to create a friendship with Great Britain - They declare that they are independent

Preamble (Basic Principles)

- Gives specific governing strategies as to how they are going to govern the new nation - The government has to maintain their responsibilities - The people have rights as just being human, and they can destroy the government if they do not meet their expectations - Outlines the ideals of the new nation - Lays out the idea of natural tights and social contract

Natural Rights

- Locke argued that all people are born with natural rights such as equality and liberty - The colonists adapted this belief in the Declaration of Independence - They argued that all men have "unalienable rights" that cannot be taken away, such as "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" - They believed Great Britain was taking away these natural rights

Declaration's Importants

- The Declaration influenced many colonies and countries to take the colonist's actions, and shake the normal monarchy - The Declaration makes it so that we are known as a free and safe country today - The Declaration proved the colonists sacrafices

Grievance (Supporting Facts)

- The grievances prove the King of Great Britain was injuring and abusing the states - The King of Great Britain was assigning laws in an unprofessional manner - The King of Great Britain has been unfairly assigning the power of the states - The King of Great Britain has cut off trade and has been affecting economics in a negative way

Preamble (Justification for Independence)

- The grievances were proof of why the colonists needed to take their rights and use them efficiently. That is, they needed to protect their safety and happiness, by abolishing the current governing style, and create their own. - King George III has violated the colonists' right and, therefore, the colonists have the right to overthrow the government

Social Contract

- The idea that an unspoken agreement exists between a government and its citizens - The govt. Can only rule if the citizens agree to give them the authority to do so - Citizens cannot receive the benefits of the govt. (protection, laws upheld, etc) unless they agree to give up their right to do whatever they want, regardless of the govt. laws - If either side does not uphold their part of the agreement, the social contract is broken - The colonists argued that Great Britain broke the social contract by failing to protect their rights - Examples - "Taxation without representation" - Quartering British soldiers - Taking away their self-government

Introduction

- Why the colonies separated from Great Britain - What caused the colonies to create this Declaration - It is important to confirm the separation and give specific reasoning - They hope to have other countries see them as their own nation

Supporting Facts (examples)

- refusing to make laws to address new problems, prohibiting local governments from making such laws, dissolving local governments, and removing elected officials and refusing to replace them

Dates to Independence

July 4 1776 - Independence Day: - "Declaring independence - break from Britain" - Fight the Revolutionary War to solidify independence - 1781 - fighting ends, Colonists win - 1783 - Treaty of Paris officially ends the war (2 years)

John Locke

John Locke was an economic and political philosopher who constructed ideas about the nature of people and government. His influenced ideas were natural rights and the social contract.

The Declaration's Freedoms

The Declaration's freedoms were not applied to everyone as women, blacks, Indians, and white men who owned no land were not included