Social Studies Week 2
October 5
Social Studies this quarter will focus primarily on American history. This week: the birth of the United States as a political entity; Declaration of Independence; slavery
Background reading (or look at page 44 in your text):
american revolution.pdfAmerican revolution questions.pdfAnswers
1=1
2=4
3=5
4=5
5=2
Essential Document (excerpt): The Declaration of Independence
IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another 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, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
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. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever 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...
Watch the short video about the Declaration of Independence.
As you watch, consider the presentation: the speakers, the camera work, the music.
Following is a video of Danny Glover reading a speech on Independence Day by the abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglass from 1852.
Do some quick background research about Douglass, then watch the video.
Respond to questions below.
Additional resources:
This Washington Post article explains the meaning of each important phrase in the first two paragraphs of the Declaration:
A history of slavery in the New World:
http://slaveryandremembrance.org/articles/article/?id=A0002
Biography of Crispus Attucks, believed to be the first casualty of the American Revolution:
https://www.biography.com/military-figure/crispus-attucks