Lesson 5: Slides

LESSON 5: SLIDES

• The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important writings in American history. It describes the major ideas the Founders had about government. The Declaration also lists the Founders’ complaints against the British king.
• The British government passed new laws taxing the colonists and controlling their trade.
• “No taxation without representation!”
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FLOWCHART - STUDY MATERIALS

• Lesson 5: Declaration of Independene
• Lesson 5: Flashcards
• IMPORTANT TERMS TO KNOW
• *Review the Flash Cards*
• Declaration of Independence
• Loyalists
• Patriots
• principle
• First Continental Congress
• Second Continental Congress

SHOT THAT STARTED THE CONFLICT

• When the sides met near Boston, they began shooting at each other. The war between Britain and the American colonies had begun. The American Revolution was underway, but the colonists had not yet declared their independence.
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DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

• The Declaration of Independence has three parts:
• Basic ideas about people and government
• Reasons why the Founders thought they had the right to be free from British rule
• Complaints against the British king
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BASIC IDEAS ABOUT PEOPLE AND GOV'T

• These include the idea that all people are “created equal.”
• They are born with certain rights that no one can take away. These are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
• The purpose of government is to protect these rights.
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REASONS FOR FREEDOM

• The Declaration also says that the power of government comes from the consent of the people.
• People are the masters of government and not the other way around.
• If a government violates the rights of its people, the people can change the government or get rid of it and create a new one.
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COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE KING

• He refused to approve laws made by the colonists that were necessary for their common good.
• He closed the colonists’ legislatures when they opposed his violation of the rights of the people.
• He kept a standing army in the colonies even though there was no war.
• He stopped the colonists’ trade with other countries.
• He taxed the colonists without their consent.
• He took away the colonists’ right to a trial by jury.
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POWER OF THIRDS

• A third supported Independence
• A third was undecided
• A third wanted to remain with the current system
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GROUP ACTIVITY - RESPONSES

• Imagine that you are a Patriot. You want to convince everybody that they should support the idea of independence from Great Britain. You have some friends and neighbors who are Loyalists and some who do not want to choose sides.
• Work in groups of two to three to write a letter to the newspaper in your colony. Explain why the colonies should become independent. Use the ideas, reasons for independence, and complaints stated in the Declaration of Independence.