The Declaration of Independence

Boston Tea Party

Battles of Lexington & Concord

Boston Massacre

Intolerable Acts

To declare independence from Britain

To stop violence, protect colonial rights, and avoid breaking ties

To increase taxes on the colonies

To form an alliance with France

Jefferson was the only author of the Declaration of Independence.

Congress accepted the Declaration without any changes.

Jefferson was the main author among five appointed men.

A large portion attacking slavery was cut before acceptance.

Preamble

Declaration of Natural Rights

List of Grievances

Resolution of Independence

Life and liberty

Property and ownership

Socialization and relationships

Freedom from taxation

John Locke

Thomas Hobbes

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Baron de Montesquieu

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, and Right to Bear Arms

Right to Vote, Right to Education, and Right to Privacy

Freedom from Taxation, Right to Assemble, and Right to Petition

To protect the rights of the people

To control the people

To collect taxes

To maintain order through force

Quartering British troops in the colonies

Taxing the colonists without their permission

Cutting off the colonists' trade with the rest of the world

Allowing colonists to elect their own leaders

John Hancock

Thomas Jefferson

Benjamin Franklin

George Washington

Popular Sovereignty

Natural Rights

Rule of Law

Monarchy

Southern colonies refused to sign if it remained

It was considered too controversial

It was not relevant to independence

Jefferson changed his mind

Governments should be based on the consent of the governed

People have the right to overthrow any government

The colonists’ revolt against England

John Hancock signed the Declaration first