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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
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
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
Colonial Propaganda
the cause of America is the cause of all mankind Turned colonial position John Adams hated it
WHY?
Feb, 1776
Timeline
June 7, 1776
Committee of Five
Roger Sherman Robert Livingston John Adams Benjamin Franklin Thomas Jefferson
Timothy Matlack
July 1, 1776
** patriot
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
July 2, 1776
Delawares split vote rode through night to get there; almost killed him
Signed by 45 delegates
John Hancock
July 4, 1776
Signed large enough so the King George can read it without his spectacles
Aug 2, 1776
56 Signers 29 college graduates 8 foreign born 24 lawyers or jurists 11 merchants 9 farmers 2 doctors
Ben Franklin
Edward Rutledge
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
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