DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

Why is this document so important to the American people?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcZK2CF3mZ8

PreviewDescribe from your own

experience or imagine a situation in which you feel the need to be independent.

After over 150 years of self-government for the colonies, King George III of Great Britain began to establish new policies on the colonies.

French and Indian War

NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION

First Continental Congress

King George III

Battle of Lexington and Concord

The Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson

Second Continental Congress

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0LmYEjXNIg&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

Check Warm-up Answers

1. The American colonists had begun to experience their own

self- government

2. Who was the king of Great Britain starting in 1760?

King George III

3. Why did he implement the policy of mercantilism on the colonies?

to gain as much wealth from the colonies as possible

4. After 1763, Great Britain began to tax the colonies. Why?

To help pay of the war debts from the French and Indian War

5. The colonists protested the taxes and boycotted English goods. What did they hope the British would do?

Repeal the taxes

6. What did the British actually do?

Add more taxes

7. What was the purpose of the First Continental Congress in 1774?

Ask that King George restore the colonists rights and extend the boycott

8. King George responded to the requests of the Congress by sending

More troops

9. What was the purpose of the Second Continental Congress?

Declare independence

Did the colonists have the right to ask for independence?

This is how they felt about the king and their independencehttp://www.schooltube.com/video/e1895c4c1683c3124733/Too-Late-to-Apologize-A-Declaration

Reading Activity

1. Read Textbook pages 36-38

Make your own document – The Declaration of Independence

Date of the Document

July 4, 1776

Author of the Document

Thomas Jefferson

Purpose of Document

1. To declare the colonies independent from Great Britain

2. State grievances against the king

How did the document influence the Constitution?

3. Affirmed (stated) that people had unalienable rights

4. Established that all people are equal under the law

What Fundamental Principles of American Government did the Declaration of Independence have in it?

Democracy (The people rule. Governments protect people’s rights.)

Consent of the Governed (The government can do only those things the people give it permission to do).