Important Events
Explain the slogan "no taxation without representation."
The colonists had no representatives in parliament, so they had no say when it came to passing unfair laws and taxes. They felt that this was unfair
What was the main purpose of the DOI?
It was a statement that the colonies wanted to be free from British rule and instead rule themselves.
Explain the purpose of the preamble
The introduction to the DOI that explains that separation from Great Britain had become necessary
What is the preamble?
the introduction to the DOI
What was the Sugar Act of 1764?
it was a tax that forced colonists to pay a tax on sugar, molasses, and several other goods.
What is meant by the term "unalienable rights"?
Rights that cannot be taken away or given up
Explain the grievances section of the DOI
the grievances were a list of complaints against KG3
What is tyranny?
cruel and unreasonable rule
What was the Stamp Act of 1765?
this tax required colonists to buy a government stamp for almost every paper document they used.
What are the three natural rights listed in the Declaration of Independence? What is the meaning of each right?
The right to liberty, the right to life, the right to the pursuit of happiness.
Explain the Big Ideas section of the DOI
-All people have certain unalienable rights
-peoples natural rights cannot be taken away
-people establish governments to protect these rights
-government gets its power from the people
-when a government violates citizens rights, the people have a right and duty to change the government
What is a grievance?
a complaint, especially one due to unfair treatment
Why were the colonists so angry after the French and Indian war?
they had just won the land to the West of the Appalachian Mountains, but they werent allowed to settle there, due to the Proclamation of 1763.
What was the purpose of the second continental congress?
to discuss becoming independent from England and establishing a democracy.
explain the declaration section of the DOI
This section officially declared the colonies independence on July 4, 1776.
what is a delegate?
a person chosen by a group to represent them at a meeting
The Boston Tea Party was when the Sons of Liberty, disguised as American Indians, boarded British tea ships in Boston Harbor and dumped 300 chests of tea into the harbor.
Why did the colonists put into words, into a document, how they felt - rather than just TELL KG3 and parliament?
they needed an official document to unite Americans and they wanted to get countries on their side (like France) in case they needed military support for in a war for independence
How many signatures were at the end of the DOI
56 signatures from the delegates of each of the 13 colonies
What is a congress?
a formal meeting of representatives that is held to discuss ideas and policies.