The Declaration of Independence—A Global Approach
Handout B
IS THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE A GLOBAL DOCUMENT?
1. Read the quotes given to your group. Discuss the main points given by the excerpts. Come to a
consensus with your group and record your findings.
2. As you meet with other groups, listen carefully and record the main points they discovered in
studying the philosophers they were assigned.
Philosopher/Nation
Main Points
In the Declaration:
Emer de Vattel
Nation:
David Hume
Nation:
Cesare Beccaria
Nation:
John Locke
Nation:
Jean-Jacque
Rousseau
Nation:
Montesquieu
Nation:
Voltaire
Nation:
3. After studying the Declaration, compare the philosophers’ ideas with the Declaration. What part or
phrases of the Declaration originated with these philosophers from around the world?