Name: __________________________________________

The Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson

Activity One—Background
The Declaration of Independence is a statement originally composed by Thomas Jefferson, then adopted by the
Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. It announced that the 13 American colonies, then at war with Great Britain,
regarded themselves as independent states, and no longer a part of the British Empire.

Activity Two—Close Reading/Annotation of the Text

Read the Declaration of Independence printed for you below. As you read, use the questions in the right margin to guide
your annotations. (Keep in mind that this document was written before the regulation of spelling and capitalization.)

[1] IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

Why would it be important for the
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, decision to separate from Britain to
be unanimous?
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
Paragraph 1 provides the reason why
which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect the document was written. What is
the purpose of this declaration?
to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which

impel them to the separation.

[2] We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that Jefferson notes that “all men are
created equal,” suggesting that this
they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among was “self-evident.” What is meant by
that statement?
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

How has this idea been supported or
becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to challenged throughout history?

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
What, according to Jefferson, is the
likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. But when a long train of abuses and duty of the colonists?

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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.

[3] He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for Who is “he”?

the public good. He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate

and pressing importance, .... and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected

to attend to them. He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation

of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of What has the king done, according to
Jefferson?
Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable

to tyrants only. 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….

[6] For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: Summarize the grievances or issues
that Jefferson has with the king in
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: this section.

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province,

establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so

as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same

absolute rule into these Colonies:….

Read the underlined statement.

What is Jefferson saying?
[13] We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in

General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for

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the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good

People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United

Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they
What rights does Jefferson claim that
are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political the colonies now possess?

connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be

totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full

Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce,

and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.

And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection

of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes

and our sacred Honor.

Activity Three—Express Understanding

Examine the grievances that Jefferson lists as reasons that the king has violated the natural
rights of the colonists. Select one grievance that you consider the most significant violation that
supports Jefferson’s claim that the colonists should declare independence from Britain. Explain
why this grievance seems so important and how it conflicts with the idea of natural rights.