Lexington, Concord & Lexington, Concord & Etc.Etc.

Lexington, Concord & Lexington, Concord & Etc.Etc.

Boston Massacre Site

Paul Revere’s House

Lexington

Concord

Concord Con’t

Declaration of Declaration of IndependenceIndependenceDeclaration of Declaration of IndependenceIndependence

July 4, 1776July 4, 1776

Why a Declaration?1. King George rejects the Olive

Branch Petition2. Continued fighting in the 13

colonies

Thomas Jefferson• Authored the

Declaration of Independence.

• Included his own ideas, and those of other patriots in the document.

Including Others’ IdeasThomas Paine

• Wrote Common Sense in early 1776

• Called for colonists to break from Britain.

• People have the power to make rules not Kings & Queens

• Wrote so the common man could understand.

John Locke• People have a

social contract with their government.

• If your government is denying your right it is your job to overthrow the government.

4 Parts of the Declaration

1. Preamble: Introduction: Why colonists drew up the DOI.

2. Declaration of Rights: Unalienable rights of Life, Liberty, & Pursuit of Happiness.

3. Complaints against the British Government

4. Declaration of Independence