Declaration of Independence

Declaration Of Independence Hyper-Doc \]\ Political scientists analyze founding documents for ways that they relate to our government today. They focus less on the historical situation and more on how the principles established in the documents were used to create our governmental structures. As you prepare to read the Declaration of Independence from a political science perspective, take a moment and think about what some of the main themes in the Declaration mean to you. When you think about our government, how do you think these principles relate? Question Write your response below What individual rights should a government protect for its people? This outlines individuals' fundamental rights to life, liberty, and property What should the government provide for the people? Education How should the people hold the government accountable? Governments are held to account when citizens are able to incentivize them to pursue the best interests of citizens through rewards or punishments. The Declaration of Independence As you read the text, consider how the author develops an argument for independence that reflects his perspective on the nature and purpose of government. Try to identify the evidence he uses to support his argument. Think about how Jefferson defines rights and how the government relates to those rights. Second Continental Congress, July 4, 1776 In Congress, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America, 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 Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. Find the phrase “Laws of Nature and Nature’s God” in this paragraph. Use context clues within the text to determine what Jefferson means. "Laws of Nature" refer to the kind of rules that everyone, including governments, has had to abide by throughout human history. By referring to "Nature's God," Jefferson indicates that some rights are endowed by a divine source. Source Analysis Highlight or underline the phrase in this paragraph that explains why Jefferson wrote this document. Helpful definitions: ● dissolve: bring to an end ● entitle: establish a right to ● impel: force or urge

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, and that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. Check Your Understanding Bold the specific rights that Jefferson outlines in this section Connect to Content Describe one way in which Jefferson’s description of rights relates to your understanding of the American governmental system Jefferson's delineation of rights is pertinent to my comprehension of the American political system since we create laws, maintain a judicial system, participate in voting, and have representation in our democratic society. Helpful definitions: ● self-evident: evident without proof or reasoning ● unalienable: incapable of being given up But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies, and such is now the necessity that constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. Source Analysis According to Jefferson, under what conditions are the people justified in throwing off a government? When a government violates the rights of individuals or seeks to oppress them, it is the responsibility of those individuals to take action and establish a new governing body. Source Analysis What does the text on this page tell us about Jefferson’s perspective on government? The evolution of Thomas Jefferson's concept of popular sovereignty -- the notion that people establish governments by their own consent and can revoke said consent in instances when a government disregards their natural rights. Helpful definitions: ● evinces: reveals or shows clearly ● usurpations: to take or make use of without right He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he Check Your Understanding Here, Jefferson names a series of grievances or complaints against the King. How does this list relate to Jefferson’s earlier assertions about the nature and purpose of government?

What evidence did he use to support his claim? Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence asserts that the government is responsible for safeguarding the citizens' rights, which allow them to live freely and happily. If these ideals are not met, the people have the right to abolish their government and declare independence. What line of reasoning is Jefferson using to structure his argument - causation or comparison? How do you know? Jefferson employed both cause and effect reasoning as well as comparative analysis. Jefferson employs ethos, pathos, and logos to demonstrate that the American colonies have no alternative but to take action towards separation. He establishes his credibility as a reasonable man through the use of ethos. Connecting to The Content Choose a passage/quote from the excerpts above. Find or create an image that represents the meaning of that passage and insert it below. ● What passage/quote did you choose? "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal. . .." ● What image did you find/create? (Insert below) ● Why did you choose this image? Show and tell us about the governors signing the Declaration of Independence and explain their plans.