Influences on the Declaration of Independence
Philosopher John Locke
•
an English philosopher from the
Enlightenment (1689)
•
he wrote about the “social
contract” that people had with
their government.
•
the purpose of government is
to protect people‟s “natural rights”
of life, liberty and ownership of
property.
Influences on the Declaration of Independence
Philosopher John Locke
•
if the government fails to protect
these rights, then, the
government should be CHANGED!
•
These thoughts greatly influenced
Jefferson in writing the
Declaration of Independence
Influences on the Declaration of Independence
The Virginia Declaration of Rights
a document drafted (1776) to
proclaim the inherent rights of men
including the right to rebel against
"inadequate" government.
Influences on the Declaration of Independence
Pamphlet „Common Sense‟
• written by Tom Paine in 1776
•He argued for two main points:
- independence from England
- the creation of a democratic
republic.
Common Sense greatly influenced
opinion throughout the colonies
in favor of independence
The Declaration of Independence
• Written by
Thomas Jefferson
• It is the “Birth Certificate
of the United States”
• Document listed rights
and grievances against
King George III
The Declaration of Independence
• John Hancock first to
sign in large print
• Anyone who signed it and
was caught would be
hanged
• “We must all now
hang together, or most
assuredly we will all
hang separately."
—Benjamin Franklin
Hancock
Key Quotes in the Declaration
• “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”
Independence Diary
“There were bonfires,
ringing bells, with other
great demonstrations of
joy upon
the unanimity and
agreement
of the Declaration.”
—Christopher Marshall
(1776)
What Happened to those who Signed?
• Five were captured by
the British, though
eventually released
• Approximately 12 had
their homes ransacked
and burned
• One lost his son in the
Continental Army
• Several suffered wounds
in various battles