Breaking up with Great Britain
!Viva la Revolucion!
Big Ideas: Is Freedom Free?
Vocabulary
100
As written in the Declaration of Independence what are the three unalienable rights?
"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
the right to..."
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
100
Who was the king of Great Britain at the time the colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence?
King George III 
100
When are differing beliefs beneficial?
Answers may vary
- When differing beliefs lead to trying new things- When differing beliefs lead to helping someone else
- When the original belief does not benefit the common good
100
What is a traitor?
A person who betrays their own country.
200
What date and year was the Declaration of Independence accepted (and is now part of our national holidays)?
July 4, 1776
200
Which country supported the colonies during the revolution against Great Britain?
France
200
Who has the power to create change? AND how would they create change?
Answers may vary:
- Anyone who stops ignoring the sufferings of others and helps by volunteering, voting, fundraising, or protesting
- An influencer who uses their platform to spread awareness of a problem in our society
- A politician who enacts laws that can protect people's well-being
200
"In every stage of these Oppressions
We have Petitioned for Redress in
the most humble terms"
Define oppressions as it is used in the Declaration of Independence
unjust treatment or control
Acceptable answers also include:- abuse
- maltreatment / mistreatment
- Cruelties
- sufferings
300
The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776. Historians disagree as to whether the colonial leaders were motivated by selfish or ideological reasons.
Prompt:
Why did the Founders write the Declaration of Independence?
Acceptable answers may include any of the following reasons:
- unfair taxation and lack of representation in Parliament
- By declaring themselves an independent nation, the American colonists were able to confirm an official alliance with France for the oncoming war against Great Britain.
- Because the colonists believed they had natural rights and the right to overthrow a tyrannical government.
300
Where is the Declaration of Independence displayed?
National Archives Building in Washington D.C.
Willing to accept: Washington D.C.
300
How were some of the high ideals such as "all men are created equal" contradicted by society in America at the time ?
Possible answers may include:
-People of color and women were considered less than and beneath white men
-The right to vote was given first to property owning white men
- Native Americans / Indigenous people are not included and described in the document as savages
300
"a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation"
Describe or Define the word impel as it is used in the document
to drive, force, or urge (someone) to do something.
400
Name one of the founders of the Declaration of Independence
John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman
Thomas Jefferson's handwriting
400
Which European country was inspired by the American Revolution to begin their own?
The French Revolution 
400
What did the Declaration of Independence say on the topic of slavery?
The final document does not mention slavery and, through its silence, allows enslavement.
relevant fact: the first draft includes a condemnation of slavery and the slave trade calling it evil. However, 17 of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention together owned a total of about 1,400 slaves. So the condemnation was cut from the final draft.
400
The colonists made a list of grievances against King George III. What is a grievance?
a feeling of resentment over something believed to be wrong or unfair.
Acceptable answers:
- injustices
- offenses
- complaints
- burdens
500
According to the Declaration of Independence:
Where should the power of governments
come from?
From the _____ of the _______
from the CONSENT of the governed.
Acceptable/similar answers:
from the votes of the people
from the voices of the people
from the consent of the people
500
According to the text:
When should people abolish their government?
Whenever a government become destructive of the rights of the people
Acceptable answers:If a government
- takes away rights
- Hurts their people
- affects the safety and happiness of their people
500
What is the relationship between the need for change and the need for stability?
(In other words: when is change more important - when is change less important?)
The need for change DEPENDS on the situation.
Depends on:
- Safety
- Well being of the community
- How change will benefit the common good over the individual
500
The Declaration of Independence claims we have "unalienable rights"
Here's another sample sentence: Every Californian has an unalienable right to a day at the beach.
Describe or define what an "unalienable right" is:
A natural right that cannot be taken away