Declaration of Indepence Study Guide

Delcaratory Act

-Parliament declared its sovereignty over colonies "in all cases whatsoever" but act ignored in colonies as they celebrated repeal of Stamp Act -stated that Parliament could make laws binding the American colonies "in all cases whatsoever

What did the 4 parts of the Declaration of Independence contain?

1.Preamble 2.Declaration of natural rights 3. List of grievances 4. Resolution of independence

How many colonies sent delegates?

13

Stamp Act

1765; law that taxed printed goods, including: playing cards, documents, newspapers, etc.

How many parts is the Declaration of Independence divided into?

4

How many men signed the Declaration of Independence?

56

Charter

A document that gives the holder the right to organize settlements in an area

List of Grievances

A list of complaints about the British King (King George). "For quartering large bodies of armed troops around us" "For cutting off our trades with all parts of the world" "For imposing taxes on us without our consent"

How long did the American Revolution last?

Almost 8 years

Who was the only Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence?

Charles Carroll

Resolution of Independence

Declares that the colonies are "Free and Independent States" from Britain

Why didn't Robert Henry Lee write the Declaration of Independence?

First, Lee was appointed to the Committee of Confederation for the writing of the Articles of Confederation, and thought that being part of both committees would be too great an effort. Second, his wife became gravely ill during the Philadelphia convention, forcing him to return home prematurely.

Declaration of Natural Rights

Governments main job was to protect your natural rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And if it doesn't then you have the right to overthrow it.

Preamble to the Declaration of Independence

Introduction section to the Declaration of Independence; States that sometimes two political connections (England & American colonists) must separate

Who is in the Committee of Five?

Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston

When was the Declaration of Independence written?

July 4, 1776

Quatering Act of 1765

Made colonists' house British troops and provide them food, weapons, and supplies.

Did all colonists want to fight against Great Britain?

Not every colonist supported independence from Great Britain. Resistance to independence was present throughout the colonies and the decision to separate was not a certainty even as the Second Continental Congress prepared to vote on it.

Townshend Revenue Act (1767)

Parliament imposes taxes on many items imported into the colonies including glass, lead, paints, paper, silk and tea

Where was the Declaration of Independence written?

Philadelphia

Who was the first choice to write the Declaration of Independence?

Richard Henry Lee

Declaration of Independence

Signed in 1776 by US revolutionaries; it declared the United States as a free state.

Statement of Independence

States the colonies independence from Britain

Who were some of the founding mothers of America?

Susan B. Anthony, Abigail Adams, Martha Washing ton, Betsy Ross, Molly Pitcher, Dolly Madison

Why was the Articles of Confederation weak?

The Articles created a loose confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government, leaving most of the power with the state governments. There was no: -No central leadership (executive branch) -Congress had no power to enforce its laws. -Congress had no power to tax. -Congress had no power to regulate trade. -No national court system (judicial branch) Changes to the Articles required unanimous consent of 13 states.

After declaring indepence and winnning the American Revolution, what was the type of governement created?

The Articles of Confederation

What did the founding mothers do?

They managed property, and raised their children and often those of deceased relatives, while trying to make their own contributions to the cause of liberty. They acted as spies, coordinated boycotts, and raised funds for the army.

Why did the British tax the colonists?

They were in debt from the French and Indian War

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson

Was the Articles of Confederation strong or weak?

Very weak. It was a terrible idea

compact

an agreement, or contract, among a group of people

What did the Declaration of Independence do?

announced our independence (from Great Britain) declared our independence (from Great Britain) said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)

What are some of the grievances the colonists had against King George?

taxes, violations of the rights of the accused, forcibly quartering British soldiers in the homes of the colonists, and taking undue powers onto himself

Natural Rights

the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property

Parliament

the lawmaking body of British government

The purpose of the Committee of Five?

to draft a statement presenting to the world the colonies' case for independence

Why was the Declaration of Independence written?

to explain why the colonies were separating from Great Britain/the king

Quatering Act of 1774

was only slightly different than the 1765 act. This new act allowed royal governors, rather than colonial legislatures, to find homes and buildings to quarter or house British soldiers.

Founding Mothers

women who played important roles in the future of America at its very beginning

Why did the colonists fight the British?

▪ because of high taxes (taxation without representation) ▪ because the British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering) ▪ because they didn't have self-government