Declaration of IndependenceDeclaration of Independence

AuthorAuthor

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson– Committee included Benjamin Franklin, John Committee included Benjamin Franklin, John

Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert LivingstonAdams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston

July 4, 1776July 4, 1776

Influenced by John LockeInfluenced by John Locke

Democratic PhilosophyDemocratic Philosophy

All men are created All men are created equalequal

Inalienable rightsInalienable rights to life, liberty and the to life, liberty and the pursuit of happinesspursuit of happiness

Government by the Government by the consent of the consent of the governedgoverned

The The right to alter or abolishright to alter or abolish a government a government if it does not protect the people’s rightsif it does not protect the people’s rights

Grievances or ComplaintsGrievances or Complaints

To prove England had not provided a good To prove England had not provided a good governmentgovernment

““HE”HE”

Examples:Examples:

What legal means of protest had the What legal means of protest had the Americans done to try to fix the problems?Americans done to try to fix the problems?

LettersLetters

PetitionsPetitions

BoycottsBoycotts

DemonstrationsDemonstrations

Risks?Risks?

LivesLives

PropertyProperty

HonorHonor

Rights of new nationRights of new nation

Declare war Declare war

Conclude peaceConclude peace

Contract alliancesContract alliances

Establish tradeEstablish trade

……anything any other nation can doanything any other nation can do

Declaration of Independence Declaration of Independence states the Americans’…states the Americans’…

Democratic PhilosophyDemocratic Philosophy– What we believe a good government should be What we believe a good government should be

(protect natural rights; consent of governed)(protect natural rights; consent of governed)

Grievances and ComplaintsGrievances and Complaints– Proof that England did not provide us with a good Proof that England did not provide us with a good

governmentgovernment

Statement of IndependenceStatement of Independence– Rights of the new United StatesRights of the new United States

Effects of the DeclarationEffects of the DeclarationNew ideasNew ideas – government based on democracy; right – government based on democracy; right to revolution, no hereditary class distinctions, no to revolution, no hereditary class distinctions, no more divine right of kingsmore divine right of kings

Goals of Revolution: Goals of Revolution: INDEPENDENCE !INDEPENDENCE !

Goals for US governmentGoals for US government – due process of law, – due process of law, issues of equality: abolition of slavery, civil rights issues of equality: abolition of slavery, civil rights movement, democratic reforms – voting rightsmovement, democratic reforms – voting rights

Inspired othersInspired others – French Revolution (1789), Latin American revolutions French Revolution (1789), Latin American revolutions

(early 1800’s), post – WWII independence movements in (early 1800’s), post – WWII independence movements in Asia & Africa (1945 – 1960’s); China (1989 – Tiananmen Asia & Africa (1945 – 1960’s); China (1989 – Tiananmen Square)Square)