Congress for Kids: [Independence]: Word Spy - 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

Uncle Sam, the word spy, wants you to take a minute and test your knowledge.

Match the word in the left-hand column with its definition in the right-hand column. Check your answers.

Committee of Five	A. The concept that citizens should govern themselves, not be governed by some outside power.
Declaration of Independence	B. The document written chiefly by Thomas Jefferson and adopted on July 4, 1776, by the Second Continental Congress that stated the reasons the colonies needed to break away from British rule.
Second Continental Congress	C. The group appointed to present the colonies' reasons for desiring independence from British rule.
Self-rule	D. The group who assumed the responsibility to act as the national government for the colonists.

Return to Tour

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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