Declaration of Independence Flashcards
four main purposes for having a government according to paine
- provide security against violence
- to uphold the laws
- to protect the property of individuals
- to punish crime
quote from thomas paine
“society in every state is a blessing, but a government even in its best state is but a necessary evil”
what did thomas paine believe was america’s destiny? why?
he believed america’s destiny was to be a free and independent colony
according to paine, why was great britain interested in america
great britain was interested in america for the economic benefit of great britain
who pro-war pamphlet did thomas paine publish in january 1776
common sense
what did paine argue
he argued that america should no longer be a colony to britain and should be an independent country
what happened on june 11, 1776
the second continental congress appointed a committee of 5 men to draft a document that declared the thirteen colonies free and independent from britain
what did the committee need to explain most importantly
the committee needed to explain why separation was the only fitting solution to the long standing disputes with parliament and the british crown
who were the 5 men on the committee
john adams, ben franklin, thomas jefferson, robert livingston, and roger sherman
when was the DOI document submitted to congress
june 28, 1776
who was the president of the congress
john hancock
how many signatures are on the declaration of independence
56 (john hancock signed first)
in writing the document jefferson drew together the ideas of what thinkers
john locke and thomas hobbes
what was the purpose of the declaration
justify the revolution by the colonists and put forth the founding principles of the new nation
more than any other action of the second continental congress, the declaration of independence served to make the american colonists what
one people - “united” to achieve independence
how old is the united states
239 years old (make sure to show math)
what is abdicated
give up the throne
what is annihilation
destruction
what is despotism
all powerful
what is impel
force someone to do something
what are insurrections
rebellion
what is naturalization
process by which foreign born persons become citizens
what is the preamble
statement at the beginning of the document that sets forth the purposes of the document
what is quartering
housing
what is relinquish
give up
what are usurpations
unjust use of power
first sentence of the declaration of independence
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, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
5 significances of the declaration of independence
- birth of the united states
- foundation for democratic government
- inspiration for equality
- influence on the constitution
- impact on other revolutions
the primary purpose of the declaration of independence was to
justify the revolt of the american colonists against great britain
in writing the declaration of independence, thomas jefferson based his argument for american independence on the idea that
people have natural rights as human beings
which action can be justified by the political philosophy expressed in the declaration of independence
a group of rebels tries to overthrow a repressive government
according to the declaration of independence, a government’s power comes from
the people
the right of the people to overthrow a tyrannical government is a main theme of which document
declaration of independence
what good governments should do
- make laws that benefit the people
- change itself if the people want
- give power to people - not just a king
- serve people fairly
- give all people the right to live, be free, and seek happiness
what did the declaration of independence do
declared war against england
where did the continental congress meet
philadelphia
describe what had been sent to the king
a petition was prepared and sent to the king requesting that no further oppressive acts be committed against colonies
what was the name given to the militiamen surrounding boston
minutemen/continental army
describe the green mountain boys victories
under the leadership of ethan allen, attacked and captured the british stronghold at fort ticonderoga on the route between new york and canada. from ticonderoga the green mountain boys advanced to crown point and seized it.
what was george III’s reaction to the petition sent by the colonists
he refused to consider the “rebel” petition and employed 20,000 hessian troops
what was the sentiment of the resolution by richard henry lee on june 7, 1776
committee supported the declaration created by lee
what happened on july 4, 1776
declaration of independence was adopted during the continental congress
what happened on august 15, 1776
50 members of the congress signed the document
briefly describe the 4 parts of the document below
- preamble - described the purpose of the document
- declaration of natural rights - help man attain rights of all men being created equal
- lists of all grievances - against the king and attempts made by colonies to remain loyal
- formal declaration for war colonies have declared themselves free and independent states
what did the newly independent state put themselves in
they put themselves in open defiance of the king of england
who was the main author of the declaration of independence
thomas jefferson
when did the second continental congress pass the declaration of independence
july 4, 1776
when did fighting in the american revolution first break out
april 1775
what kind of rights are listed in DOI
unalienable rights
what is the purpose of government
serve its people
According to the declaration, what powers belong to the United States “as free and independent states”?
they have the full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do
From what source do governments derive their “just powers”
deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed
