Declaration of Independence

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another; and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Natures God entitle the, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. 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, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, 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, and to institute new Government . . . Prudence indeed, will dictate that Governments long established will not be changed for light and transient causes . . . And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

Background
Olive Branch Petition
July 1775 Last ditch attempt to restore harmony King George III rejected it
British navy blockaded American ports Sent Hessians, hired professional German soldiers, to fight

John Locke

Wrote Two Treatises on Government in 1690

All people have natural rights to life, liberty and property Social contract between govt and people If ruler violates natural rights, people have the right to change govt People should agree to give up some freedom in exchange for protection and security

Thomas Paine
Common Sense 1776

Political and moral voice of Declaration

Published 9 months into the war Urged colonies to declared independence Pointed out disadvantages to being under Britain
Many miles away Waste time waiting for answers to requests Divine Right of Kings

Sold 120,000 copies in 3 months

Colonial Propaganda

the cause of America is the cause of all mankind Turned colonial position John Adams hated it

Second Continental Congress

Delegates from all 13 colonies
5-6 colonies had clear instructions NOT to allow independence

Met at Philadelphia State House

WHY?

Royal charters would be voided

No one knew what would happen

Congress was scared!

There would be no official law Would have to write new laws

May overthrow the social order

 Feb, 1776

Timeline

8 voted for independence Had to be a clear majority

June 7, 1776

Richard Henry Lee

6 colonies threatened to walk out

Proposed vote on independence Seconded by John Adams

June 17, 1776

Committee of Five selected

Committee of Five
Roger Sherman Robert Livingston John Adams Benjamin Franklin Thomas Jefferson

Timothy Matlack

Probably scribe of Jeffersons words on parchment

Wrote it in 17 days 1,817 words total

480 deleted by Congress

 July 1, 1776

Yes - 9 colonies No - Penn, S Carolina Split - Delaware Abstained - New York

** patriot

South Carolina Delaware

Problems with the Congress

Remained neutral until late in debates Had 3 delegates; one very ill and left Didnt get instructions from legislature Had to abstain on every vote Delegates were evenly split

New York

Pennsylvania

 Jefferson revised the draft

Took out section on slavery to satisfy southern colonies

July 2, 1776

Abstained - New York Yes - 12 colonies

Penn and S Carolina changed vote

Delawares split vote rode through night to get there; almost killed him

Judge Wilson (Penn) changed vote in attempt NOT to be remembered

 Signed by 45 delegates
John Hancock

July 4, 1776

Signed large enough so the King George can read it without his spectacles

July 19, 1776

sent to colonies for ratification

Aug 2, 1776

May have actually been signed later

 56 Signers 29 college graduates 8 foreign born 24 lawyers or jurists 11 merchants 9 farmers 2 doctors

Signing the Document

Ben Franklin

Edward Rutledge

Oldest, 70 years old Youngest, 27 years old

Charles Carroll Last living signer Died in 1832

Non- Signers
John Alsop George Clinton Charles Humphreys John Rogers Thomas Willing Henry Wiser

Robert Livingston

Member of Committee of 5 Felt declaration was too soon and reconciliation was still possible

John Dickinson (Penn)

Felt independence was a treasonous act of the most despicable kind Was supported by some at first
Samuel Chase (MD)

Paul Harvey Our Lives, Our Fotunes, Our Sacred Honour 0:00 8:10

Declaration of Independence Various actors Intro 0:00 - 4:30 Declaration 4:30 13:40