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Declaring Independence. Vocabulary . Independence- the freedom to govern themselves Resolution- a formal group statement of independence. Declaration- official statement Preamble- first part Grievances- complaints. Moving Toward Independence.
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Vocabulary • Independence- the freedom to govern themselves • Resolution- a formal group statement of independence. • Declaration- official statement • Preamble- first part • Grievances- complaints
Moving Toward Independence • What were some of the reasons why many people in the colonies called for independence? • Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense and the work of second continental congress. • What delegate stood up and asked Congress to officially declare independence? • Richard Henry Lee • Who was asked to write the first draft of the Declaration of Independence? • Thomas Jefferson
The Declaration of Independence • What important ideas did Thomas Jefferson give in the Declaration of Independence? • He told why the Declaration was needed and explained the equality and rights of all people. • What did Thomas Jefferson say about the rights in the Declaration of Independence? • He argued that all people have rights no one can take away. These rights include the right to live, the right to be free, and the right to seek happiness.
Congress Approves Declaration • What date did Congress vote and approve the Declaration of Independence? • July 4, 1776 • Why were the delegates worried about signing the Declaration? • They could be tried for treason, a crime punishable by death. • Who was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence? • John Hancock, the president of the Congress.
Forming a New Government • The Second Continental Congress set up another committee to plan how to unite the 13 states. • Who was chosen to head the committee? • John Dickinson • What was the first plan of government for the United States? • The Articles of Confederation • Why do you think the Articles of Confederation gave each state one vote in Congress? • So that all states would have equal power to rule.
Weaknesses of the Articles • There were many flaws with the Articles. They limited the powers of government in many ways. For example: Congress had the power to declare war, make treaties or borrow money but it could not control trade or collect taxes. • Before Congress could pass any law how many representatives had to approve it? • 9 of the 13 states had to approve it. The representatives rarely agreed