JULY 4 , 1776

Declaration of Independence

The Declaration

signaled the end of British colonial rule in America and

the beginning of democracy in the United States of America.

Format of the Declaration

Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration following the basic format for legal arguments used in the 18th Century.

Broken into five distinct sections

Section 1

general statement of intent to separate from England

Section 2

philosophical justification for separationused 17th Century English radical theorist

John Locke ("Second Treatise of Government") to establish the theoretical basis for the right of citizens to overthrow their government

justified the separation from the English Crown to their fellow citizens in England, King George III, the other nations of the world, and last, but not least, the Colonial citizens who were all citizens of the England

Key terms used at that time

Key to the Locke theory that Jefferson used in the second paragraph was the understanding the terms property, alienable rights, inalienable rights, usurpation, and tyranny as used at that time.

Property:

As used in the 18th century, property included life, liberty, and estate. Today it is only related to estate.

Alienable right

This is a right which you have that you can give up to another. An example is a car. You have an alienable right to own a car. You also have the right to sell the car to another.

Certain of your alienable rights may be given up for the public good such as taxes.

Inalienable right

These rights include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness - rights that all humans have from birth as described in natural law theory.

These rights cannot be given up to others or taken by others.

This term was spelled unalienable in the printers version of the hand written draft probably due to a typing error.

Thomas Jefferson wrote inalienable in his draft.

Usurpation

the taking away of alienable rights. For example, if you had a car and someone

stole it, they would be guilty of usurpation of your alienable right.

Tyranny

the taking away of inalienable rights - taking away rights which no man (or king) has a right to take away

Section 3

details the specific charges against the King George III.

Jefferson had to prove that King George III was a tyrant in order to justify the breaking away of the colonies from England.

Section 4

The fourth part (second to last paragraph) apologizes to the citizens of England for having to separate from them because of the actions of their rulers.

Section 5

The fifth part (last paragraph) restates the resolution introduced in the Second Continental Congress by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia on May 15, 1776.

Resolution introduced in the Continental Congress by Richard Henry Lee (Virginia) proposing a Declaration of Independence, June 7, 1776

June 7, 1776Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right

ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.

That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances.

That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation.