Congress for Kids: [Independence]: The Declaration of Independence, Part II

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Independence

Introduction Democracy Democracy vs. Autocracy The Original Thirteen Colonies The Declaration of Independence, Part I The Declaration of Independence, Part II The Articles of Confederation

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What do you think Thomas Jefferson is saying to Great Britain in the introduction to the Declaration of Independence?

According to the 2nd paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, what “unalienable rights” are guaranteed to all men?

According to the 2nd paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, where do governments derive their power?

The Declaration contains a long list of complaints against King George III. Can you summarize five of these complaints in your own words?

Declaring Independence: Drafting the Documents

The Declaration of Independence, Part II

The Declaration of Independence and Political Activism
http://imet.csus.edu/imet2/clarkc/webquest/
WebQuest - Based on the motivation of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, students will discover what could motivate them to become politically active.

History of the Holidays
http://www.history.com/topics/july-4th/videos#history-of-independence-day
Video (4:53) - Independence Day, commonly known as July 4th or the Fourth of July, commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Discover the origin of the 4th of July and its traditional celebrations by watching the History of the Holidays video. Although twelve American colonies declared their independence from Britain on July 2nd, 1976, the 4th of July is the day most remembered.

Matching Activity - The Origins of American Government http://www.cyberlearning-world.com/lessons/vocabch2qz.htm
Match each of the fifteen terms (including The Declaration of Independence) with its correct definition.

Word Fun
http://familyeducation.com/printables/piece/0,2357,22-10581-537,00.html
Construct your own version of the Declaration of Independence! Have someone give you the parts of speech that are listed under the blank lines. Then read it out loud to hear the new story.

Jefferson was upset that slavery was edited out of the Declaration of Independence.

In his first draft of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson [wiki] listed the British crown’s support and importation of slavery to the colonies as one of the grievances:

"He has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life & liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating & carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere, or to incur miserable death in their transportation thither."

The passage, however, was edited out by request of the delegates from South Carolina and Georgia. Jefferson (himself a slave owner!) remained upset about this removal of the condemnation of slavery until his death.

Projects You Can Do

Identify the works that influenced Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of Independence. Describe Jefferson's vision of the document's impact.

Use this knowledge to create a collage that represents personal ideas of freedom and indicates the literary, artistic, and musical works that influenced compositions.

Awards

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