THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE This is a famed and critical written document, penned in the form of a persuasive essay that helped frame the founding of the democratic country, United States. FIRST: review background information on the Declaration at http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration.html (Links to an external site.) NOW: read the Declaration of Independence, found at: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) be sure to WORK OFFLINE AS YOU ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW, AND THEN COPY/PASTE YOUR WORK INTO YOUR 'REPLY' MESSAGE. (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.) Initial Examination 1.Write down key points and things you notice about the document. 2.Write down any questions that come to mind as you look at the document. 3.Is the document easy to read? What is different about the text, font and spelling of the words in the document? Investigating the Declaration of Independence Part I Preamble: The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands 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 of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. 1.According to this paragraph what is the goal of the writers? 2.Why are they writing this document? 3.Make a prediction of what will come next in the document based on what you have read in the Preamble. Part II Beliefs: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable 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 consent of the governed, --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. 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. 1.What rights are the writers claiming that they have? 2.According to this paragraph, what is the purpose of the government? Part III Complaints 1.What is each complaint about? Write a brief description of each complaint in your own words. 2.Who is He that the colonists refer to in the grievances? 3.Who are the colonists blaming for their grievances? Why do you think they are blaming him? Part IV Attempts to Address Grievances 1.How did the colonists try to address these grievances earlier? 2.Why did they feel it was necessary to state this in the Declaration? Part V Declaring Independence 1.What words from this paragraph actually declare the colonists independence? 2.What rights and powers do they state that they now have? Part VI The Signatures: There were 56 signatures on the Declaration. 1.Which names on the list of signatures do you recognize? Circle the names that you recognize. 2.Would you have signed the document? Why or why not? 3.What might have happened if the Americans had lost the war against Britain? 4.What were the risks associated with writing and signing the document?http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration.html (Links to an external site.) NOW: PLEASE WRITE UP YOUR THOUGHTS (A PARAGRAPH OR TWO) ON WHAT THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE MEANS TO YOU. WHAT DO YOU ADMIRE, WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT THE U.S. FROM READING THIS, AND DOES IT INSPIRE YOU - WHY OR WHY NOT?