Name: Date: Time:

An Abridged Interpretation of
The Declaration of Independence
by Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams

1. What does the In Congress, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united
Preamble say the States of America.
colonies should do?
(circle one) Preamble
seek peace with Britain When in the course of human events, it sometimes becomes necessary for one
separate from Britain people—the colonies—to end their connection with another people—Great
Britain. When this occurs, it should be stated to the rest of the world why this
surrender separation is necessary.

Declaration of Natural Rights

2. What is the purpose of We believe that all men are created equal, that they are given by their Creator
government? (circle one) certain natural Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of
to protect natural rights Happiness.
To guarantee these rights, Governments are created by Men, and these
to control its citizens governments get their power from the approval of the people they govern.
to overthrow other Whenever any Form of Government abuses its responsibility, it is the
governments Right of the People to change or destroy that government, and create a new
Government that will protect the Safety and Happiness of the people.
to start wars
Governments should not be changed for simple reasons. History has shown that
people will suffer rather than change the government that causes their injuries.
But when a long series of abuses is committed by a government wanting to
create a dictatorship, it is the right of the people, it is their duty, to destroy that
government and replace it with a new one.

List of Grievances
The colonies have suffered and now it is necessary to change their Government.
The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of injuries and abuses
with the intent of creating an absolute dictatorship over the States. To prove
this, here are the facts—
• He has refused to support laws necessary for the public good.
• He has prevented his Governors from passing important Laws or refused
to approve these laws.
• He has refused to pass other Laws unless the people are willing to give up
Representation in the Legislature.
• He has called legislatures together at far away places forcing lawmakers
to agree to his demands because they cannot reach the far away places.
• He has dissolved legislatures that opposed his attacks on the rights of the
people. [see problem 3]
• He has prevented new legislatures from being formed preventing the
State from protecting itself from dangers outside and inside.
3. This statement refers • He has prevented foreign-born people from becoming citizens and he has
to: (circle one) changed the laws preventing settlement of new lands. [see problem 3]
Proclamation of 1763 • He has prevented laws giving power to the courts.
• He has controlled judges.
the Sugar Act • He has created offices that bring swarms of Officers to harass and abuse
the Townshend Acts citizens.
• He has kept, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of
the Tea Act our legislatures.
• He has allowed the military to act on its own and control the legislatures.
• He has worked with others to control us under a system foreign to our
constitution and not recognized by our laws:
• For quartering large bodies of troops among us.
• For protecting them from punishment for any Murders they might commit.
• For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world.
4. This statement refers • For Taxing us without our consent. [see problem 4]
to: (circle one)
• For removing, in many cases, our right to Trial by Jury.
the Proclamation of 1763 • For removing citizens to foreign lands to be put on trial for false reasons.
• For removing English Laws in a neighboring Province and expanding its
the Stamp Act
borders as an example of what will happen to these Colonies.
the Coercive Acts • For changing the basic Forms of our Governments.
• For suspending our legislatures and declaring that he has the power to
the Intolerable Acts
legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
• He has ended Government here so that he can wage War against us.
• He has robbed our seas, attacked our Coasts, burnt our towns, and
destroyed the Lives of our people.
5. In this statement, • He is at this time sending large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to complete
“Mercenaries” refers to:
(circle one)
the works of death and tyranny that have a cruelty seldom seen in the
most barbarous times. He is totally unworthy to be the leader of a
British soldiers civilized nation. [see problem 5]
Hessian soldiers
• He has drafted our fellow Citizens and forced them to attack us.
• He has encouraged Indian Savages on our frontier to attack us.
Minutemen
In every stage of these Abuses We have asked for a change in policy. Our
French soldiers requests have been met by more injuries. A King who acts like a tyrant is unfit
to be the ruler of a free people.
We have warned the British people that their legislature is unlawfully
trying to control us. The British people have ignored our pleas of justice. Having
no choice, we must then Separate, and hold the British people, as we hold the
rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

6. What is a state? (circle Statement of Independence by the United States

one)
We, the Representatives of the united States of America, declare, That these
a monarchy United Colonies are Free and Independent States. As Independent States, we
an independent country
can declare war, make peace, create Alliances, establish trade, and do all Things
that other countries can do.
a group of people And for the support of the Declaration, with a firm reliance on the
protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our
Fortunes and our sacred Honour.