Declaration of Independence

We will explain the purposes, key
elements, and the importance of the Declaration of Independence.

We are fed up!

What were some of the reasons why the colonists were upset with the king!
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What have we been learning
about that would make a
colonist upset?

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Had the colonists tried to tell
King George III their
problems?

Important Vocabulary

Unalienable rights (Natural Rights)-
rights that are given to all people that cannot be taken away

Grievances- a complaint

Resolution- a firm decision

Important Items to Notice in the Video:

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Thomas Jefferson–main author of the Declaration of Independence

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Benjamin Franklin–patriot and ambassador to France for the U.S.

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Sons of Liberty–patriot group that led rebellions against the King

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King George III–levied (forced) taxes on colonists to pay war debt

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Tea–represents the unfair taxes colonists were forced to pay such as the
Tea Act which led to the Boston Tea Party

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Tobacco–a major cash crop that led to huge profits for England

​On June 11, 1776 the Continental Congress appointed five leaders, called the Committee of Five, to write a document explaining why they were declaring their independence. The five members were Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman, and Thomas Jefferson.

The members decided that Thomas Jefferson should write the first draft.

Unalienable rights that cannot be taken away nor denied.

According to the Declaration of Independence, these unalienable rights are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness

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