Title: The Declaration of Independence
1The Declaration of Independence
2The Committee of 5
These guys were asked by the Second Continental
Congress to write the Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson wrote most of it
33 Main Ideas
4?
All men possess basic, unalienable rights Life,
Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
Unalienable not able to be taken away
5?
King George III had violated the colonists rights
How?? -passing unfair laws -messing with
local govts -taxing colonists without asking
6?
The colonists had the right to break away and
create their own nation
Why?? The king had failed to do his job and
protect the rights of his citizens
7July 4th, 1776
Members of the 2nd Continental Congress sign the
Declaration of Independence, officially creating
the United States of America
8Colonists must choose sides
9PATRIOTS
Colonists who joined the fight for independence
10LOYALISTS
Colonists who stayed loyal to the King and
supported the British
11Two groups who were ignored by the Declaration of
Independence
12?
WOMEN
- All men are created equalAbigail Adams wrote
a letter to her husband, John Adams Remember
the ladies or else!
13?
AFRICAN AMERICANS
- Slavery was still legal in all colonies only
white, land-owning men had full rightsThomas
Jefferson originally added section to eliminate
slavery, but Southern states refused to support
Revolution if that happened