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Understanding the famous document that declared the colonies' freedom.
Imagine writing a letter to the most powerful King on Earth to tell him you are starting your own country. If you win, you get freedom; if you lose, you could be punished for treason. Would you be brave enough to sign your name?
In the summer of , the thirteen American colonies decided they had enough of British rule. They needed a document to tell the world why they were breaking away from King George III. A group called the Committee of Five was chosen to write it, but the heavy lifting fell to a -year-old lawyer from Virginia named Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was known for being a brilliant writer. He spent days in a hot room in Philadelphia, carefully choosing every word. He didn't just want to complain; he wanted to explain the philosophy of freedom. The document he created, the Declaration of Independence, changed the world forever.
Quick Check
Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?
Answer
Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson wrote that all people are born with certain unalienable rights. This means rights that are given by a creator and cannot be taken away by any government. He listed three specific ones: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
1. Life: The right to live safely. 2. Liberty: The right to be free. 3. Pursuit of Happiness: The right to try to live a life that makes you happy.
Jefferson argued that the government's only job is to protect these rights. If a government fails to do that, the people have the right to change it or start a new one.
Think of 'unalienable rights' like your heartbeat. 1. You are born with it. 2. It belongs only to you. 3. No one is allowed to take it away. In the same way, Jefferson believed Liberty belongs to you just because you exist.
Quick Check
What are the three 'unalienable rights' mentioned in the Declaration?
Answer
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
Signing the Declaration of Independence was not like signing a birthday card. It was an act of treason against the British Crown. By putting their names on that paper, the signers were essentially signing their own death warrants if the Revolution failed. They knew that the British Navy was the strongest in the world. Yet, they pledged to each other 'our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.' They were willing to lose everything for the chance to be a free and independent nation. This is why John Hancock signed his name so large—he wanted the King to be able to read it without his glasses!
Imagine you and your friends decide to start a new club because the old club rules are unfair. 1. The old club leader is a powerful giant. 2. If the giant catches you, you lose your house. 3. You sign your name anyway to show you aren't afraid. This is exactly what the signers did against King George III.
There were men who signed the document. If the British captured even of them, that would be leaders gone. The signers represented colonies. They had to be united, because as Benjamin Franklin said, 'We must all hang together, or most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.'
Why was Thomas Jefferson chosen to write the Declaration?
What does 'unalienable' mean?
Signing the Declaration of Independence was a safe and easy task for the colonists.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to name the three unalienable rights and the man who wrote them down without looking at this guide.
Practice Activity
Write your own 'Declaration of Independence' for your bedroom. What are the 'rights' of people entering your room, and what are the rules they must follow?