Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776

Declaration of IndependenceJuly 4, 1776

Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson & others& others

Declaration Main Purposes

Theory of Theory of GovernmentGovernment

List of List of GrievancesGrievances

Declaration Declaration of Warof War

Theory of Government All Men are created equalAll Men are created equal Who are left out?Who are left out? Women?Women? Slaves?Slaves? Property-less men?Property-less men?Natural Laws it speaks of:Natural Laws it speaks of: Unalienable Rights- Life, Unalienable Rights- Life,

Liberty, pursuit of happiness Liberty, pursuit of happiness (J.Locke)(J.Locke)

Government’s job is to protect Government’s job is to protect rights (and property)rights (and property)

Theory of Government

““Consent of the Consent of the governed”governed”

What do you think that What do you think that means?means?

Popular sovereigntyPopular sovereignty

Theory of Government

People have the right People have the right to….to….

““alter or abolish” a alter or abolish” a bad governmentbad government

““institute new institute new government”government”

What about the Civil What about the Civil War? Did they have a War? Did they have a right to abolish the right to abolish the Union?Union?

List of Grievances Blamed King George for Blamed King George for

problems of taxationproblems of taxation Taxes, taxes and more taxesTaxes, taxes and more taxes But what did those taxes go But what did those taxes go

towards?towards? The English were protecting the The English were protecting the

colonists from French/Indian colonists from French/Indian attacks….attacks….

So what?--The colonists didn’t So what?--The colonists didn’t much care why they were being much care why they were being taxed. They (30%) felt England taxed. They (30%) felt England was too out of touch to control was too out of touch to control them.them.

List of Grievances Two purposes of Two purposes of

Declaration of Declaration of IndependenceIndependence

List complaintsList complaints Win supportWin support

Patrick Henry was an agitator…what significance does the phrase have?

Declaration of War!!!!! Due to the lost rightsDue to the lost rights ““united colonies are, and united colonies are, and

ought to be, free and ought to be, free and independent states”independent states”

What about black slaves?What about black slaves? Who should they fight for?Who should they fight for? The failure to include The failure to include

anyone but property owning anyone but property owning males under the idea of males under the idea of ‘free’ will carry into the ‘free’ will carry into the ConstitutionConstitution

So What?

Changed lives foreverChanged lives forever Ho Chi Minh, as he Ho Chi Minh, as he

attempted to kick the French attempted to kick the French out of his country, cited the out of his country, cited the Declaration when he asked Declaration when he asked Woodrow Wilson for help.Woodrow Wilson for help.

In 1789, the French will list In 1789, the French will list their own Declarationtheir own Declaration

Seen as a rally cry for Seen as a rally cry for freedomfreedom

Articles of Confederation First US GovernmentFirst US Government ConfederationConfederation Why?Why? What about a What about a

constitution?constitution? The Constitution The Constitution

followed the followed the Articles. It was an Articles. It was an improvement on the improvement on the Articles.Articles.

Why is it the articles of confusion?

Articles of Confederation

No executive or No executive or judicial branchjudicial branch

Only a congressOnly a congress States were the real States were the real

powerpower

Weaknesses

One vote per state, regardless of sizeOne vote per state, regardless of size Congress was powerless to lay and collect taxesCongress was powerless to lay and collect taxes Congress powerless to regulate foreign/interstate Congress powerless to regulate foreign/interstate

commercecommerce No executive to enforce acts of CongressNo executive to enforce acts of Congress No national court systemNo national court system Amendment with consent of all statesAmendment with consent of all states 9/13 majority to pass laws9/13 majority to pass laws Articles only a ‘firm league of friendship”Articles only a ‘firm league of friendship”

Review

What did the Declaration do?What did the Declaration do? What problems did it create?What problems did it create? What evidence is there that the Declaration What evidence is there that the Declaration

of Independence influenced countries of Independence influenced countries besides the USA?besides the USA?

What caused the American colonists to be What caused the American colonists to be upset with England?upset with England?