Declaration of Independence
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Presentation Transcript
Author • Thomas Jefferson • Committee included Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston • July 4, 1776 • Influenced by John Locke
Democratic Philosophy • All men are created equal • Inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness • Government by the consent of the governed • The right to alter or abolish a government if it does not protect the people’s rights
Grievances or Complaints • To prove England had not provided a good government • “HE” • Examples:
What legal means of protest had the Americans done to try to fix the problems? • Letters • Petitions • Boycotts • Demonstrations
Risks? • Lives • Property • Honor
Rights of new nation • Declare war • Conclude peace • Contract alliances • Establish trade • …anything any other nation can do
Declaration of Independence states the Americans’… • Democratic Philosophy • What we believe a good government should be (protect natural rights; consent of governed) • Grievances and Complaints • Proof that England did not provide us with a good government • Statement of Independence • Rights of the new United States
Effects of the Declaration • New ideas – government based on democracy; right to revolution, no hereditary class distinctions, no more divine right of kings • Goals of Revolution: INDEPENDENCE ! • Goals for US government – due process of law, issues of equality: abolition of slavery, civil rights movement, democratic reforms – voting rights • Inspired others • French Revolution (1789), Latin American revolutions (early 1800’s), post – WWII independence movements in Asia & Africa (1945 – 1960’s); China (1989 – Tiananmen Square)