The Declaration of Independence
Essential Question
What are the four main ideals of the Declaration of Independence?
The Ideals of the Declaration: Which is Most Important?
The Declaration of Independence
This excerpt is the most important part of the Declaration of Independence. This is the part that outlines, for the first time in American History, its philosophy of government. This excerpt guides the government and the people when they look to see what our government does, what makes a good government and what rights the people have.
"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,1 that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness;2 that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men,3 deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it,4 and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
- Declaration of Independence.
Activity 2: Mini-Q - The Ideals of the Declaration: Which is Most Important?
Mini Q-The Ideals of the Declaration_ Which is the Most Important_.pdfInterpretation
The general Interpretation of the Declaration of Independence is that people are born with individual rights that cannot be taken away from them. These rights include: the right to live, the right to have freedom or liberty, and the right to pursue happiness. It is the job of the government is to protect these rights. If a government does not protect the rights, but in fact weakens them, the government should be changed or removed
Philosophy of Government
Thomas Jefferson, the main author of the Declaration of Independence, was influenced by the writings of the English philosopher John Locke. Locke argued that “just,” or fair, governments are based on the consent of the people. and protect people’s “natural rights” to life, liberty, and property. Locke also stated that a government should be changed or replaced if it became unfair. Jefferson included all of Locke's ideas in the Declaration of Independence but made one small change. Instead of property, Jefferson listed the “pursuit of happiness” as one of the people’s natural rights.
Discussion Questions
According to the excerpt, what are the rights of the people?
According to the excerpt, what is the job of the government?
How did John Locke influence the Declaration of Independence?
Activity 3: What are the ideals of the Declaration of Independence?
Using the information from this lesson, answer the questions in a thinking map. Complete this assignment digitally or on paper. It will be collected in your portfolio.
Discussion Questions
What are the four ideals of the Declaration of Independence?
Which ideal is the most important? Why?
What evidence from the documents in the Mini-Q could you use to prove your ideal is the most important?
The Declaration of Independence
This is a PDF of the entire text of the Declaration of Independence.
Declaration of Independance.pdf
This is a picture of the Declaration of Independence
Here is a video of several celebrities reading the Declaration of Independence.
An annotated and paraphrased version of the Declaration of Independence is in your book. Pages 54-58
Extension Activities
NEWSELA: The signing of the Declaration of Independence
NEWSELA: Primary Sources: The Declaration of Independence
