2.03 Why The Declaration of Independence Important

Introduction & Beliefs section

* Gives reasons for writing, including that breaking away from a ruling country should include notification of the reasons why * Describes colonists' beliefs about government, including John Locke's natural rights and social contract theory

List of Grievances

* Lists colonists' complaints against King George III * Complaints include imposing taxes without the consent of the people, suspending trial by jury, limiting judicial powers, quartering soldiers, and dissolving legislatures * Includes list of attempts by the colonists to seek redress from the king for their problems

Formal Declaration

* States that because of the grievances and failure of the king or Parliament to address them, the colonies would now be "Free and Independent States" * States that the colonies would rule themselves and no longer give loyalty to Britain or follow its laws, but rather make their own * States that the colonists will defend the Declaration of Independence with their lives, wealth, and honor

What are the "unalienable rights"?

Natural rights that people have at birth and cannot be taken away. Unalienable rights are the natural rights that John Locke said people had at birth. Government could not take them away. The colonists make the case in the middle section of the Declaration of Independence that the king tried to take away their natural rights. This was a main reason for writing the document.

What does "self-evident" mean?

Obvious without explanation or proof. The colonists were saying that their ideas are obvious and true to everyone.

"For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:" What is meant by "quartering" in this quote?

Providing living or sleeping space "Quartering" troops refers to making arrangements for living or sleeping. The colonists were angry that Britain forced them to allow British soldiers to stay in their homes and barns. The soldiers carried weapons with them and stayed in the colonies for years after the end of the French and Indian War. Many colonists felt threatened by their presence.

According to the Declaration of Independence, where does the government get its power?

From the people

How did King George III respond to protests by American colonists?

He prevented their representative leaders from meeting. The colonists say the king broke up their "Representative Houses." These "houses" were groups in each colony that met to discuss issues related to government. "Dissolved" means he forced the groups to stop meeting. This was an attempt to prevent colonists from defending their natural rights. It was meant to silence them.

Why is the Declaration of Independence considered a revolutionary document?

It states the colonies are separating from British rule.

Why was the Declaration of Independence written?

To justify separating from Great Britain

"For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:" This quote is from the middle section of the Declaration of Independence. This tells you that this quote is

one grievance against the king The middle section of the Declaration of Independence contains the specific grievances against King George III. In this quote, the colonists are complaining about the quartering of troops.

What are the "unalienable rights" as they appear in the Declaration of Independence?

Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. The quote says that men have "certain unalienable Rights," and the next few words are "that among these." Therefore, the next few words will be some of the "unalienable rights." The quote lists "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." In other words, people are born with the right to live, to be free, and to make their own choices about how to live their lives. The colonists were saying that government could not take these away.

Continental Congress delegate complaints

1. Britain is making us pay unfairly high taxes. 2. We have no representatives in Parliament, though we pay taxes. 3. Intolerable Acts were too harsh a punishment for the tea protest in Boston. 4. We need to stand together because what happened in Massachusetts could happen in any other colony. 5. British officials return to Britain for trial for crimes committed here. We are unable to present our case against them. 6. The king has ignored our repeated petitions. 7. Some of the delegates believe the colonies do not need Britain's trade. 8. The king is now making war on American colonists.

What are the sections of The Declaration of Independence?

1.Introduction & Beliefs 2. List of Grievances 3. Formal Declaration.

What does the "consent of the governed" mean?

Agreement and permission of the people "Consent" means to agree or give permission for something. "The governed" are the people who live under a certain government and must follow its rules. Here the colonists are saying that governments exist and have their powers only because the people agree, or consent, to it. This is part of the idea of the social contract.

"Every quiet method for peace hath been ineffectual. Our prayers have been rejected with disdain; and only tended to convince us, that nothing flatters vanity, or confirms obstinacy in Kings more than repeated petitioning—and nothing hath contributed more than that very measure to make the Kings of Europe absolute." - Thomas Paine, Common Sense How did this excerpt motivate colonists to support the creation of the Declaration of Independence?

By reminding them that King George refuses to respond to their requests

"We have boasted the protection of Great Britain, without considering, that her motive was interest not attachment; and that she did not protect us from our enemies on our account; but from her enemies on her own account, from those who had no quarrel with us on any other account and who will always be our enemies on the same account." - Thomas Paine, Common Sense How did this excerpt motivate colonists to support replacing the government of Great Britain?

By telling them Britain cares only about its own interests

What do the Quartering Act, no trial by jury, and unwarranted search and seizure have in common?

Each is a violation of individual rights.

"That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed," What does "instituted" mean?

Set something up, create "Instituted" means to set something up or create something. Here the colonists are saying that the purpose of government, or the reason people create government, is to protect people's rights.

What issues led to the writing of the Declaration of Indepedence?

Taxation without consent No representation in Parliament King did not answer petitions Quartering of soldiers Battles of Lexington and Concord Intolerable Acts, punishment for the Boston Tea Party Control of trade with other countries

George Washington wrote the following words in a letter to a friend. "The Parliament of Great Britain hath no more right to put their hands into my pocket without my consent than I have to put my hands into yours for money." Based on this excerpt, which grievance in the Declaration of Independence would Washington agree with?

Taxation without consent Reflects taxation without representation, or the idea that the government can take money from the colonists without representatives giving input.

"Our properties within our own territories shall [not] be taxed or regulated by any power on earth but our own." - Thomas Jefferson, July 1774 Based on this quote, which complaint in the Declaration of Independence would Jefferson agree with?

Taxing without representation

What is a reason to change or replace the government with a new one?

The government has stopped protecting the natural rights of its people. The colonists believed people have the right to change or replace a government which ignores their individual rights. They felt their natural rights were violated in many ways. Unfair taxes, no trial by jury, and housing soldiers in private homes were some of these complaints.

"He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers" According to the quote, what action did the king take related to the courts?

The king refused to approve laws to create courts. The colonists say the king himself is standing in the way of justice. He refused to "assent to laws," meaning approve laws. These laws would have been for "establishing judiciary powers," meaning to set up a court system. So, the king would not approve laws the colonists wanted to create a court system. It is difficult to maintain peace and order without a fair court system. A trial by jury helps ensure that government does not unfairly punish an innocent person or take away the natural laws of life and liberty.