Declaration of Declaration of IndependenceIndependence

Declaration of Declaration of IndependenceIndependence

• Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.

• It took him two weeks.

• Congress voted to accept it on July 4, 1776.

Rough Draft of Declaration courtesy of American Mind Collection

The document The document that changed a nation.that changed a nation.

This image of the DeclarationThis image of the Declaration is from an engraving.is from an engraving.

The printer was William J. The printer was William J. Stone.Stone.

The engraving was done in The engraving was done in 1823.1823.

Most used version of Most used version of Declaration. Declaration.

Photo courtesy of the National Photo courtesy of the National Archives. Archives.

Five Parts of the DeclarationFive Parts of the Declaration

PreamblePreamble Statement of Human RightsStatement of Human Rights Charges against King and ParliamentCharges against King and Parliament Statement of SeparationStatement of Separation SignaturesSignatures

What is a Preamble?What is a Preamble?

A preamble is an introductory statement.A preamble is an introductory statement.

Introductory part of a constitution or Introductory part of a constitution or statute.statute.

States the reasons for and intent of the States the reasons for and intent of the law.law.

PreamblePreamble

When in the Course of human events, it When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another…connected them with another…

Statement of Human RightsStatement of Human Rights

We hold these truths to be self-We hold these truths to be self-evident, that evident, that all men are created equalall men are created equal, , that they are endowed by their Creator that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that with certain unalienable rights, that among these are among these are life, liberty, and the life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.pursuit of happiness.

Statement of Human RightsStatement of Human Rights

Government is formed to protect rights.Government is formed to protect rights.

Britain no longer protecting colonistsBritain no longer protecting colonists’’ rights. rights.

People have a right to change the People have a right to change the government. government.

Charges Against the King and Charges Against the King and ParliamentParliament

List of List of 27 complaints27 complaints Some of the complaints included:Some of the complaints included:

Cutting off Cutting off tradetrade Imposing taxesImposing taxes without consent without consent Depriving colonists of Depriving colonists of Trial by JuryTrial by Jury KeepingKeeping Standing ArmiesStanding Armies without consent of without consent of

legislatures legislatures

King George III reads the King George III reads the Declaration of Independence.Declaration of Independence.

King George reads the colonist complaints listed on the Declaration of Independence document.

(Martin is playing the role of King George.)

Statement of SeparationStatement of Separation

Colonies are united.

All connections with Great Britain are dissolved.

States have power and authority to: levy war conclude peace and contract alliances establish commerce

SignaturesSignatures

56 men signed the document. 56 men signed the document. Oldest signer was Benjamin Franklin.(70)Oldest signer was Benjamin Franklin.(70) The youngest was Edward Rutledge. (26) The youngest was Edward Rutledge. (26) Most famous was John Hancock.Most famous was John Hancock.

U.S. Capitol paintings. Signing of the Declaration of Independence, painting by John U.S. Capitol paintings. Signing of the Declaration of Independence, painting by John Trumbull in U.S. Capitol, detail with Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin II.Trumbull in U.S. Capitol, detail with Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin II.

American Memory Collection:

Signing of the Declaration

Declaration ResourcesDeclaration Resources

Visit American Memory Collection:Visit American Memory Collection: http://memory.loc.gov/http://memory.loc.gov/

Visit Library of Congress Top Treasures.Visit Library of Congress Top Treasures. http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/

Visit Signers Fact Sheet courtesy of National Visit Signers Fact Sheet courtesy of National Archives.Archives.

http://www.archives.gov/http://www.archives.gov/national_archives_experience/national_archives_experience/declaration_signers_gallery.htmldeclaration_signers_gallery.html

The document The document that changed a nation.that changed a nation.

This is a photo of the original This is a photo of the original Declaration. Declaration.

It is exhibited in the Rotunda It is exhibited in the Rotunda in Washington, DC. in Washington, DC.

It is extremely faded.It is extremely faded.

Photo is courtesy of National Photo is courtesy of National Archives. Archives.

http://www.archives.gov/http://www.archives.gov/national_archives_experiennational_archives_experience/declaration.htmlce/declaration.html

CreditsCredits

This power point presentation was created using This power point presentation was created using the American Memory Collection (AAM) in the the American Memory Collection (AAM) in the Library of Congress. Library of Congress.

Pictures of Declaration are courtesy of the Pictures of Declaration are courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration. National Archives and Records Administration. (NARA)(NARA) Slide 12: Photo of signing (AAM)Slide 12: Photo of signing (AAM) Slide 3: Photo of original Document. (NARA)Slide 3: Photo of original Document. (NARA) Slide 14: Photo of engraved Document. (NARA)Slide 14: Photo of engraved Document. (NARA)