#36 Declaration of Independence

Instructional Goal

Students will understand why the American colonies wrote the Declaration of Independence by comparing it to a "breakup letter" and identifying the core rights and complaints that led to the birth of a new nation.

3 Essential Questions (Self-Check)

The "Why": Why did the colonies feel it was necessary to explain their reasons for leaving Britain rather than just walking away?

Focus Vocabulary

Self-Evident: Something that is obvious and does not need proof or explanation.
Endowed: Provided or gifted with a quality or power (usually by a higher power or nature).
Unalienable Rights: Basic rights that every person is born with and can never be taken away (Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness).
Preamble: The introduction to a formal document that explains why it is being written.
Grievances: A formal list of complaints or reasons why someone feels they have been treated unfairly.

Preamble to the 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"

"Sostenemos como evidentes estas verdades: que todos los hombres son creados iguales; que son dotados por su Creador de ciertos derechos inalienables; que entre estos están la vida, la libertad y la búsqueda de la felicidad."

"আমরা এই সত্যগুলোকে স্বতঃসিদ্ধ বলে গণ্য করি যে, সকল মানুষ সমানভাবে সৃষ্টি হয়েছে; তারা তাদের সৃষ্টিকর্তা কর্তৃক নির্দিষ্ট কিছু অবিচ্ছেদ্য অধিকার প্রাপ্ত হয়েছে, যার মধ্যে রয়েছে জীবন, স্বাধীনতা এবং সুখের অন্বেষণ।"

"Nous tenons ces vérités pour constantes et évidentes, que tous les hommes sont créés égaux ; qu’ils sont doués par leur Créateur de certains droits inaliénables ; que parmi ces droits se trouvent la vie, la liberté et la recherche du bonheur."

Reading and Comprehension

The Declaration of Independence is essentially the most famous "breakup letter" in history. Imagine being in a relationship where the other person makes all the rules, takes your money, and doesn't listen to anything you say. Eventually, you’d want to leave and start your own life. That’s exactly what the American colonies did with Great Britain.

What Was It?

Adopted on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was a formal document that announced to the world that the 13 American colonies were no longer part of the British Empire. Instead, they were now "Free and Independent States."

While we often think of it as one long document, it’s actually organized into three main parts:

The Preamble: This section explains why the colonists are writing the letter. It contains the famous line: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal..."
The List of Grievances: This was the "complaints" section. The colonists listed 27 specific things King George III had done to mistreat them.
The Resolution: This is the official "goodbye." It stated that all ties to Britain were cut and the United States of America was born.

Why Was It Written?

The colonies didn't just wake up one day and decide to leave. Tensions had been building for over a decade. Here are the three main reasons they felt they had to write the Declaration:

1. "Taxation Without Representation"

Britain had fought expensive wars and wanted the colonists to help pay for them. They passed laws like the Stamp Act (taxing paper) and the Tea Act. The colonists weren't necessarily mad about the money—they were mad because they had no "seat at the table" in the British Parliament to vote on these laws.

2. Loss of Individual Rights

The King began sending British soldiers to live in colonists' homes (called "quartering") and shut down local colonial governments. The colonists felt their "unalienable rights"—rights that everyone is born with and can't be taken away, like Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness—were being trampled on.

3. To Get Help from Other Countries

The colonies were already at war with Britain (the Revolutionary War had started in 1775), but they were fighting as "rebel subjects." By declaring themselves a sovereign nation, they could officially ask countries like France and Spain for money, soldiers, and ships to help them win.

Part 1: The Basics (Who, What, When)

The Date: On what specific date was the Declaration of Independence officially adopted?
The "Breakup": According to the text, what did the 13 colonies officially become after this document was signed?
The Structure: The document is organized into three parts. Which part contains the "complaints," and which part is the official "goodbye"?

Part 2: Deep Dive (The "Why")

The Money Issue: Why were the colonists upset about the Stamp Act and the Tea Act? (Hint: It wasn’t just about the cost!)
The "Uninvited Guests": What does the term "quartering" mean in this historical context?
The Strategy: Besides just being mad at the King, what was a practical reason the colonies needed to declare independence regarding other countries like France and Spain?

🧠 Critical Thinking & Analysis

Defining Rights: The reading mentions "unalienable rights." Based on the text, how would you define that in your own words?
The Preamble’s Purpose: If you were writing a breakup letter today, why is it important to include a "Preamble" (the why) instead of just saying "I'm leaving"?

🏆 Bonus Challenge

The Author: The text mentions the Preamble includes the line "all men are created equal." Based on what you know about 1776, do you think everyone in the colonies (like women or enslaved people) was actually treated as equal at that time? Why or why not?

4 Stages of Understanding

Journal

💔 The Ultimate Breakup: USA vs. Great Britain

The Mission: You are the 13 Colonies. You’ve had enough of the person or object your with!
Your goal is to write a formal "Breakup Letter" (The Declaration of Independence) using modern language to show you understand why the colonies walked away.

📋 Phase 1: The Structure

Your letter must follow the same three-part structure as the real Declaration:

The Preamble (The "We Need to Talk" Intro): Explain that when a relationship becomes toxic, it is your right to leave and start a new life.
The List of Grievances (The "It’s Not Me, It's You" Part): This is the meat of your letter. You must list four specific reasons why you are dumping him/her/they/them.
The Resolution (The Official "Goodbye"): State clearly that you are now "Free and Independent." Block his number. Tell him not to call. You are your own person now!

✅ The Rubric (How to get an A)

[10 pts] A dramatic "Preamble" intro.
[40 pts] 2-3 specific grievances (complaints) translated into modern drama.
[20 pts] Inclusion of "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."
[10 pts] A clear "Resolution" (The official breakup).
[20 pts] Effort and Style (Make it look like a real note! Use doodles, colors, or "crinkled paper" vibes).

Page updated

Report abuse