The deceleration of independence test - 12/2/22 Flashcards
“When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s god entitle the, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind required that they should declare the causes which impel them to separation.”
This means, we want to explain why we don’t want to be a part of Britain anymore.
“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.”
This means, Everybody knows that we are all equal. God gave us certain Rights. Nobody can take those rights away.
“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men ,deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
This means, We make the government. The governments purpose is to protect our rights.
” That whenever any Form of Government because destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government.”
When the government does not protect our rights we can get rid of it. Then we can start a new government.
” The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpation, all having a direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these states.”
This means, The king has been very mean. He wants to order us around.
“To prove this [ that England has interfered with colonial rights], let Facts be submitted to a candid world. He has refused his assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.”
This means, we are going to tell why the king is mean. He won’t pass laws that help us.
” In every stage of these oppression We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince , whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of free people.”
This means, when we complained he got meaner. He should not be our king.
” We therefore… solemnly publish and declare. that these united colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States.”
This means, we will no longer be a part of Britain.
