Congress for Kids: [Independence]: The Declaration of Independence, Part I

Independence

Introduction Democracy Democracy vs. Autocracy The Original Thirteen Colonies The Declaration of Independence, Part I The Declaration of Independence, Part II The Articles of Confederation

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According to the second paragraph of the Declaration, "whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness." Why did the colonists consider separation from the English government a natural right?

Declaring Independence

The Declaration of Independence, Part I

Print this word search and find and circle the first and last names of the five men who created the Declaration of Independence. Write them on the lines below the puzzle.

1.________________________	2.________________________
3.________________________	4.________________________
5.________________________	Solution

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The words "United States" cannot be found in the Declaration of Independence.

When the Founding Fathers adopted "The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America" [wiki] on July 4, 1776, they didn’t form the nation called "The United States of America."

The United States of America actually came into being on March 1, 1781, when the Second Continental Congress ratified the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union (or more commonly known as the Article of Confederation [wiki]).

Projects You Can Do

Pick a partner and work together rewriting the Declaration of Independence in another style of writing. Choose a style from the list below:

· Hillbilly
· Valley Girl
· Mad Scientist
· Romantic
· Robot
· Opera
· …and so on…if you have another idea

Your rewritten Declaration should include the major ideas from the original version. You
are still the colonies in American declaring independence from England; you’re just doing
it a little differently. You must include at least five grievances (complaints) against King George.

Share your Declaration of Independence with your classmates.

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