The Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence

1. The Bill of Rights

   • Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?
     • The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution because it is the first ten amendments of the Constitution. The Bill of Rights states citizens' and states' rights in regards to the government.

2. Why was The Declaration of Independence written?

   • The Declaration of Independence was written because America wanted it's independence from Great Britain. It states the principals in which the base of America was created on.

3. What do the author's believe the purpose of the government is?

   • The author's believed that the purpose of the government was the secure the people of America's rights.

4. What are the grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence?

   • The grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence were: He has refused to Assent to laws. He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance. He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people. He has called together Legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable. He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly. He has refused for a long time after such dissolution to cause others to be elected. He has endeavored to prevent the population of states. He has obstructed the Administration of Justice. He has made judges dependent on his will alone. He has erected a multitude of new offices. He has kept among us standing armies. He has affected to render military independent. He has combined with others to subject us. For Quartering large bodies and armed troops. For protecting them from any Murderers, For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world. For imposing taxes on us without our consent.
     • For depriving us in many cases of the benefits of Trial by Jury. For transporting us beyond seas. For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighboring province. For taking away our charters. For suspending out own Legislatures. He has abdicated Government here. He has plundered our seas. He is at this time transporting large armies. He has constrained our fellow citizens. He has excited domestic insurrections among us.

5. What justification is used for declaring independence?

   • The authors justified the Declaration of Independence by coming up with 27 grievances, or problems with the King, that they had with the King of Great Britain.

6. How did the authors define "all men are created equal"?

   • The authors defined "all men are created equal" by stating that all Americans are entitled to equal justice by law.
   • What impact do you think that definition will have on American society?
     • I think the definition will impact American society by helping everyone realize that we are in the country equally and as a whole.
     • How is our modern understanding of the phrase different?
       • Our modern understanding of the phrase is different because people are still fighting for their equality today and use the phrase to help remind others that all of us are equal in this country.

7. Declaration of Sentiment

   • Grievances that were made by the Declaration of Sentiment included women not having any say in any laws as they were prohibited to vote. This was the most controversial.
     • Demands that the Declaration included were that all men and women would share equality and unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
   • I think Stanton modeled the Declaration of Sentiments with the Declaration of Independence because they were both fighting for the same equality and freedoms.
   • Women expect the reaction in which they finally get the freedoms that they have been longing for as well as the right to vote.
     • Based on the document, I think that women had a hard time because they were not yet equal to men and they did not have the right to vote in the country that she lived in.