Book I: Early AmericaUnit 3: American Revolution

Lesson 4: Declaration of Independence

Topic Overview:

• The Declaration of Independence was the formal expression of American colonists’ desire to for self-autonomy. Strained relations and armed conflict had already been taking place when a committee met in Philadelphia for the Continental Congress. This committee, which included Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and other notable colonials, wrote the document to express the Colonies’ desires for just rule and independence. The points they argued were greatly influenced by the ideas of philosopher John Locke, and Congress adopted it on July 4, 1776.

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Activity Overview:

• In this analogous simulation and simulation game students will act as experts on the Declaration of Independence. They will try to help a thirty-year-old history “nerd” use the Declaration as a guide to attempt to leave home and venture out on his own. Students will be playing a game in which the teacher will read the beginning of the real Declaration of Independence and then two drafts the “nerd” has written. In teams they will have to guess which draft captures the essence of Thomas Jefferson’s thoughts in the Declaration.

How It works

Teacher

Objectives:

• Students will be able to identify the major aspects of the Declaration of Independence.

• Students will be able to understand the ideas contained in the Declaration of Independence.

• Students will be able to compare the Declaration of Independence with the desire for independence that children often desire from parents.

Setup:

– Arrange desks in groups of three that face the front board.

– Make an overhead transparency of each Declaration of Independence and Jimmy’s Letter page.

Materials:

• Declaration of Independence and Jimmy’s Letter Key (p. 5-8)

• Declaration of Independence and Jimmy’s Letter Overheads (p.9-15)

• Scissors• Overhead transparencies

Activity in Detail:

– Announce the following: “Today, class, you are going to play a game. This game involves helping someone named Jimmy. Jimmy is a thirty- year-old history “nerd” who still lives with his parents. Jimmy has decided that he wants to live on his own, so he is going to write a letter to his parents that explains why he is planning to leave. Since Jimmy is a history “nerd,” he wants his letter to sound like the Declaration of Independence. I have told him how smart this class is, and because of that would like your help.”

– Each group needs two sheets of paper. Cut one sheet in half and write a large “A” on one half and a “B” on the other.

Activity in Detail: more

– Say the following: “On the overhead I will show a portion of the Declaration of Independence. After that, I will show Jimmy’s two drafts. You must decide as a group which of the two versions sounds more like the Declaration. You will have thirty seconds to declare your choice. When I say “declare,” raise either your “A” or “B. The team with the most correct answers wins.”

– Have every team pick a captain. Write the names of the captains in a scoring grid on the front board. Tally a point for every correct answer to the appropriate groups. To keep up the competition, give two or three points for certain questions.

– Play the game with the students. To add points, pick 1 phrase from Jimmy’s letter and see if anyone can describe the analogy. Award the same amount of points as the questions is worth. Give the team with the least amount of points a chance to explain first. If they cannot, ask the next, lowest-point group and so on. Only one team will get this point.

– At the end of the game award a winner.

Question 1

• Declaration of Independence• When in the Course of human events, it becomes

necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another,

• Jimmy’s Draft A– After living in this house for over thirty years, I think it’s

about time I live on my own and stop being a momma’s boy.• Jimmy’s Draft B– I have been looking around at the opposite sex and I think it

is necessary to get married.

Question 2

• Declaration of Independence• and to assume among the powers of the earth, the

separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them,

• Jimmy’s Draft A– I think God did not want me, at thirty, to have my mom

pick out my underwear and not allow me to date. I should be able to make decisions like you do.

• Jimmy’s Draft B– God told me that I must leave this house and become

powerful enough to deny you.

Question 3

• Declaration of Independence• a decent respect to the opinions of mankind

requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

• Jimmy’s Draft A– You don’t respect any of my opinions and that is why

I am leaving. • Jimmy’s Draft B– So, mom and dad, rather than just leave the house, I

have created a list to tell you why I am leaving.

Question 4• Declaration of Independence• 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 Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

• Jimmy’s Draft A– So, parents, I think it is pretty clear that a thirty year old

man should be treated fairly and that God wanted grown boys to choose their own vegetables at dinner and date women.

• Jimmy’s Draft B– God said I have the right to women and therefore I am

leaving.

Question 5• Declaration of Independence• That to secure these rights, Governments are

instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed

• Jimmy’s Draft A– Family decisions should be made by Men, because

that is how families are formed. • Jimmy’s Draft B– This house’s decisions should not be made just by you.

This family only works when all of us get to decide.

Question 6- Worth 2 points• Declaration of Independence• That when any Form of Government becomes destructive of

these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

• Jimmy’s Draft A– Since we have been fighting so often we are not a good family

anymore. I think it will be better if I move into my own house.

• Jimmy’s Draft B– Mom and dad, you fight too much. If I leave, you will be able

to start a new relationship with each other and that will be better for the two of you.

Question 7- Worth 2 points• Declaration of Independence• Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should

not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

• Jimmy’s Draft A– I am leaving because the little things you do have really, I mean really,

started to annoy me. I think by leaving these little things won’t bother me as much.

• Jimmy’s Draft B– I mean, I am not leaving because you make my bed or make me turn

down the radio. I have even accepted you searching my underwear drawer for drugs because it was easier than finding my own apartment.

Question 8• Declaration of Independence• But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing

invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

• Jimmy’s Draft A– I have put a security alarm in my room and could tell that one time

you went into my room without my permission.• Jimmy’s Draft B– But day after day of being told what to do, I now can’t pick out my

own socks without thinking you will tell me what to do. It is then I have to leave or I will never become a man.

Question 9- Worth 2 points

• Declaration of Independence• Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies;

and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.

• Jimmy’s Draft A– I stayed even though it was bad because I thought things

would change, but now I must leave.• Jimmy’s Draft B– I have yelled at you to change, therefore I think it would be

good if I go.

Question 10- Worth 3 points• Declaration of Independence• The history of the present King of Great Britain [George III]

is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

• Jimmy’s Draft A– This has been going for so long I think I need to tell our neighbor,

who may wonder why I have stayed so long, why I am leaving.• Jimmy’s Draft B– I have stated the facts that you have done and now I should be

free.

Question 11• Declaration of Independence• He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most

wholesome and necessary for the public good. • Jimmy’s Draft A– I have been a goody two shoes and that is

good for everyone.• Jimmy’s Draft B–You refused to let me take the trash out of my

room, even though it made the house stink.

Question 12-Worth 3 points • Declaration of Independence• He has called together legislative bodies at places

unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

• Jimmy’s Draft A– We have held family meetings in the bathroom, and once I

had to drive a hundred miles so we could talk and I am now getting tired.

• Jimmy’s Draft B– We have had so many family meetings in the living room that

now I am tired and I don’t want to go anymore.

Question 13- Worth 4 points• Declaration of Independence• He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone,

for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

• Jimmy’s Draft A– You pay my kid sister to go out on dates with me to

watch if I am breaking your rules. • Jimmy’s Draft B– I don’t know how to make money. I am dependent on

whether you give it to me or not. So I cannot go on dates if you don’t give me money.

Question 14- Worth 5 points• Declaration of Independence• He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing

Armies without the consent of our legislatures. • Jimmy’s Draft A– Little sis now comes into my room even though I don’t

want her too.• Jimmy’s Draft B– Now you have big brother in my room and he threatens

to beat me up if I don’t listen.

Debriefing:

• Reason for Declaring Independence– Many colonists saw England’s rule as politically and economically oppressive

• The Drafting Process– The Committee of Five was assigned to draft a copy – Thomas Jefferson of Virginia was appointed to write it – Final adoption by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776

• The Signing Process– A copy was made for delegates to sign later July– Delegates signed in geographic order, north to south– John Hancock signed, the President of the Continental Congress, signed first– Benjamin Franklin was the oldest signer

• Content of the Document– Preamble: given as a syllogism: a series of logical statements building on one

another

Debriefing cont…– Ends with “it is their right to throw off such government…”– Begins with “all men are created equal…by their Creator…”

• Indictment: “The History of the Present King of Great-Britain is a History … of an absolute Tyranny over these States”

• Denunciation: “They too have been deaf to the Voice of Justice and of consanguinity”

• Conclusion: “We… the Representatives of the USA, in General Congress, …do, in the Name, …of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly … declare, That these United Colonies are, … free and independent states; that they are absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown”

Assessment:

• Declaration of Independence and Jimmy’s Letter Analogies

• Essay Question: What were some of the major arguments Thomas Jefferson made in the Declaration of Independence? Do you feel Jefferson was effective in making those arguments?