The Declaration of Independence

Transcription

1 Name: The Declaration of Independence Class: 7 PART 1-DIRECTIONS: On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed and publicly read to the colonists. The document had been written by Thomas Jefferson and then approved by the members of the Continental Congress. The Declaration marked the birth date of the United States of America, and changed the momentum and meaning of the American Revolution. dissolve= disband, close 1 When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary 1. In section 1, the text states that actions have for one people to dissolve the political bands which have impel[ed] them to separation What were the impel=urge or drive them to do connected them with another, and to assume among the colonies separating from? something 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 self-evident=undeniable, unquestionable 2 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, 2. According to section 2, what is the responsibility of the government? In other words, why are they instituted? endowed=awarded, donated unalienable= cannot be taken away 3. Describe what Jefferson means when he states that [a government s] just powers [are] from the consent of the governed in section 2. instituted= established, created deriving= developing consent= approval, agreement 1

2 legislatures=governments 3 He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies 4. Who is the He that Jefferson referenced? without the Consent of our legislatures 4 For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: Protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States: For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent 5. Describe what Jefferson meant when he stated that Standing Armies were in the colonies. Boston Massacre-1770 quartering=accommodating, bringing into home 6. What legislatures was Jefferson referring to in section 3? Stamp Act Identify any laws/acts passed by Great Britain in the late 1700s that Jefferson has referenced in section 4. 2

3 abdicated= abandoned, 5 He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us. He has plundered plundered= raided our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed mercenaries= soldiers the lives of our people. He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation=unhappiness desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation tyranny (tyrant)= oppression, domination, cruel/unjust/unfair leadership perfidy= dishonesty, disloyal barbarous=cruel, brutal, viscous redress= damages 6 In every state of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the must humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince who character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people 8. According to Jefferson in section 5, what actions has King George III taken against the colonies? 9. According to section 6, how have the colonies initially respond to the British actions? 10. Why does Jefferson refer to King George III as a tyrant? Lexington and Concord oppressions=persecution, unjust treatment 3

4 rectitude=goodness 7 We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the solemnly=sadly, seriously Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of the Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right out to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and out to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independence States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do Continental Congress 11. Who is the We, that Jefferson is referring to in section 7? 12. Using context clues, what is the difference between a colony and a state? (think about colonization) 13. What powers does Jefferson insist are now given to the United States of America? absolved=pardoned or released allegiance= commitment, loyalty levy=impose or put into effect commerce=trade, create and conduct business 4

5 PART 2- DIRECTIONS: Using your knowledge of social studies and the text, answer the following question in complete sentences utilizing Better Answers Formula. Be sure to answer all parts of the questions using proper conventions. In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson stated that it was necessary to dissolve political bands Explain this idea. What historical events did Jefferson reference in the document to support why he felt it was necessary. Rubric 2: Accurate/Complete 1: Partial 0: Inaccurate/Incomplete : Response Accuracy/Relevancy : Answer All Parts of Prompt : Examples and Details : Explanation of Examples and Details : Complete Sentences : Restatement of Prompt : Conventions : Transition Word(s) : Total (16 points) 5