Government and LawUnit I

Foundations of the American Political System

Essential QuestionsWhy do we have rules/laws?Who should govern/rule?   What are the roles and responsibilities of government?

What rights should all human beings have?

The Continental CongressEst. in 1774 to protest acts of the BritishJune 1775: appoints George Washington as

commander of the militaryJune 1776: appoints a Committee of Five to

draft a statement presenting to the world the colonies' case for independenceJefferson, with help from other committee

members, drafts Declaration of Indep.July 4, 1776:Continental Congress adopts

Declaration of Indep.

Declaration: Overview1st: begins with a statement of premises and

assumptions2nd: lists evidence to support those premises

in the series of claims beginning with "He" (in reference to King George of England)

3rd: Declares Independence

Declaration: Part I¶ 1: "When, in the course . . .”

why the American colonists decided to state their position before that start of a declared war 18th Century - unusual for common people to voice

their opinions"the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God” -

revolutionary notion: the traditional belief was that king and his nobles ruled by divine right asserts that humanity, like the natural world,

operates under laws which even a king must obey.

Declaration: Part I¶ 2: "We hold these truths . . .”

"Truths" that are "self-evident" are premises that need no support

claims that follow were the most revolutionary and the most critical everyone is created equal everyone has certain rights, including: life, liberty,

pursuit of happinessgovernments are formed, by the consent of those

governed, to protect those rights; if that consent is lost, any government can be abolished or replaced.

Declaration: Part II¶ 3+: the Evidence:

The long list of charges brought against George III

“He has . . . . “

Declaration: Part IIIFinal 3 ¶’s

Explains that colonists have tried to work this out peaceably

Have warned the British People The British people have failed to listen

Therefore, we declare our independence

ActivityRead the Declaration of Independence

contained on pp. 306-307 in your bookComplete the Declaration of Independence

analysis sheet with a partner.