Lesson 5: The Declaration of Independence
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| Signing the Declaration of Independence |
The US Declaration of Independence
What were the advantages and disadvantages of declaring independence from Great Britain?
Advantages
Possibility of foreign aid from France
Legitimacy in the world community
Captured soldiers treated as POWs not spies or rebels
Independence might unite different areas of the colonies
Stating for the world the ideological basis of this new country
Freedom from subservience to the King
Disadvantages
Might lose friends in England who supported cause of colonists in regard to representation in Parliament but not independence
Might cause division within the colonies
If Revolution failed, the and leaders might be tried and executed as traitors.
Colonies were poorly prepared for war, Fighting the largest military power in the world
No weapons nor manufacturing to make them
Dependent on England for elements needed to fight a war.
Chances of winning the war were slim.
Colonists would be cutting themselves off from the biggest, freest empire in the world.
Sentimental attachment to homeland.
Officially, the Congress declared its freedom from Great Britain on July 2, 1776, when it approved a resolution in a unanimous vote. After voting on independence on July 2, the group needed to draft a document explaining the move to the public. It had been proposed in draft form by the Committee of Five (John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson) and it took two days for the Congress to agree on the edits. Thomas Jefferson was the main author. Once the Congress approved the actual Declaration of Independence document on July 4, it was sent to a printer named John Dunlap.
Questions for Discussing the Declaration of Independence
1. “That they should declare the causes which impel
them to the separation.” They refers to who or what?
a. “one people” (line 1)
b. “political bands” (line 2)
c. “Laws of Nature” (line 4)
d. “opinions of mankind” (line 5)
2. The overall tone of the first paragraph is
a. angry and resigned
b. controlled and respectful
c. conciliatory and humble
d. hopeful and condemnatory
3. In lines 8-9, the phrase “impel them” suggests that the colonists are
a. acting rashly and impulsively
b. being forced to revolt
c. fearful of the British ruler
d. determined to gain their independence
4. In line 10, the phrase “self-evident” most nearly means
- mysterious
- vague
- apparent
- unnoticeable
5. What is the purpose of government? A To secure rights
6. Are government’s powers limited or unlimited?
7. When should people change the government?
8. “Not be changed for light and transient causes” most nearly means
a. “trivial and transparent”
b. “emotional and passing”
c. “luminous and ephemeral”
d. “insignificant and temporary”
9.“But when a long train of abuses ... right…duty… new Guards for their future security”
Does this mean? citizens do not have the power to decide what form their government will take
OR absolute Despotism should not be tolerated by any group of people OR the American colonists have considered their decision carefully and rationally
10. The line “Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies” is marked by which of the following stylistic devices?
a. oxymoron
b. parallelism
c. figurative language
d. hyperbole
11. The tone of “The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations” is best described as
a. accusatory and resigned
b. benevolent and rational
c. restrained and logical
d. condemnatory and indignant
12. In line 31, the term “usurpations” most nearly means the
a. unlawful seizure of power
b. harmful use of power
c. neglect of power
d. benevolent use of power
12. Which of the following is NOT proof the author offers that the British has unfairly usurped the colonists’ power?
a. “He has refused his assent to laws.”.
b. “He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance.”
c. “He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation fo large bodies of people”
d. “He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual or uncomfortable, and distant from the…public records for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.”
13. The primary purpose of injuries of the King is to? A:provide proof for an earlier claim
14. Which of the following phrases serves to portray King George as tyrannical and repressive?
a. “plundered our seas” (line 92)
b. “the works of death, desolation” (lines 95)
c. “Cruelty & Perfidy” (line 96)
The primary purpose of the text as a whole is to
a. convince the audience to support the colonists
b. explore the choices open to the colonists
c. meditate upon the consequences of rebellion
d. determine the correct course of action
The overall tone of the text is best described as
a. passionate and restrained
b. indignant and angry
c. bitter and resigned
d. rational and resolute
The primary audience for the text is
a. American colonists
b. other world leaders
c. British citizens
d. King George
The primary audience for the text is most likely
a. educated and patriotic
b. foolhardy and loyal
c. independent and self-serving
d. logical and knowledgeable
The author of the text would mostly likely prefer a government that is
a. local and limited OR b. strong and centralized