Congress for Kids: [Independence]: Word Spy - The Declaration of Independence, Part II

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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What do you think Thomas Jefferson is saying to Great Britain in the introduction to the Declaration of Independence?

According to the 2nd paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, what “unalienable rights” are guaranteed to all men?

According to the 2nd paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, where do governments derive their power?

The Declaration contains a long list of complaints against King George III. Can you summarize five of these complaints in your own words?

Declaring Independence: Drafting the Documents

The Declaration of Independence, Part II

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.

Articles of Confederation	A. A form of government in which the national government governs from one "central" location.
Central government	B. The first national governing code of the United States; it was drafted in 1777, ratified in 1781, and replaced by the present Constitution.
Ratification	C. Approval.
Constitutional Convention	D. The meeting in Philadelphia from May 25 through September 17, 1787, during which the delegates worked to replace the government of the Articles of Confederation with a strong central government.

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Jefferson was upset that slavery was edited out of the Declaration of Independence.

In his first draft of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson [wiki] listed the British crown’s support and importation of slavery to the colonies as one of the grievances:

"He has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life & liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating & carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere, or to incur miserable death in their transportation thither."

The passage, however, was edited out by request of the delegates from South Carolina and Georgia. Jefferson (himself a slave owner!) remained upset about this removal of the condemnation of slavery until his death.

Projects You Can Do

Identify the works that influenced Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of Independence. Describe Jefferson's vision of the document's impact.

Use this knowledge to create a collage that represents personal ideas of freedom and indicates the literary, artistic, and musical works that influenced compositions.

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