The Declaration of Independence
1. What if you got up tomorrow morning and learned that there was no longer any
government in our country. What do you think it would be like not having any
government at all?
2. What do you think the purpose of government is?
Remember, in early American history, the colonists had to make some difficult
decisions about government. One of the most important decisions that they had to
make was whether or not to continue to be governed by England.
The Declaration of Independence is a document written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776.
Jefferson was part of a committee assigned by Congress to write this declaration,
which would be sent to the king and parliament putting England on notice that the
American states would no longer be governed as British colonies.
The other committee members were too busy with other matters, so Jefferson wrote the
document by himself. The Declaration of Independence has become one of our most
important historical documents because in it Jefferson expressed key ideas about the
purpose of government.
As you read about Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence, look for:
 Key ideas about the philosophy of, or the reasoning behind, our
government.
 Key ideas about what Americans then, and today, value.
After you have read the packet, answer the following questions.
1. Thomas Jefferson chose to begin the Declaration with the words, “The
unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America.”
A) Do you feel this was necessary? Why or why not?
B) Could the 13 colonies have declared independence if they were not
unanimous? Why or why not?
2. How does Jefferson explain the reason for a formal declaration of
independence? Why do you think it was necessary for Jefferson to state
the “causes which impel them to the separation”?
3. According to Jefferson what was the purpose of government? What does
Jefferson suggest should happen whenever government becomes
“destructive of the ends for which it was created?” According to
Jefferson, how do governments derive their powers?
4. Jefferson noted that “all men are created equal,” suggesting that this was
“self-evident.” Speculate as to what he meant by that statement. What
sorts of conflicts and misconceptions may have stemmed from this
statement?
5. What contradictions do you see between the ideas in the Declaration of
Independence and slavery, which existed in America at the time?
6. Do you see any contradictions in what people today believe and what they
do? In other words, do people say one thing and do another? Explain.
7. Next, look at the list of grievances that Jefferson lists as reasons that the
King has violated the natural rights of the colonists. Below, list the three
grievances that you feel are the worst violations. Explain why you believe
them to be important. Also, note that Jefferson points to King George III in
his list of grievances despite the fact that Parliament passed the acts and
approved the taxes that led to the colonists calling for independence. The
King, on the other hand, was a monarch with limited power. Why would
Jefferson blame the King for the problems leading to the Declaration?
Explain your view.
8. The colonists had been fighting British soldiers for over a year before the
Declaration was written and the formal declaration of war against Britain
was announced. Why do you feel it took so long for the colonists to
formally announce a declaration of war against the British?
ANSWERS for the DECLARATION QUESTIONS
1. A) It was necessary for Jefferson to prove that the Continental Congress
presented a united front to the world in order to prove that independence
was the true goal of the colonies. Others may state that since each state
provided signers to the document, it was obvious that all 13 colonies
accepted it.
C) Independence would be difficult without support of all 13 colonies, but
some might say independence without consensus was still possible.
For instance, colonies that objected could be absorbed into Canada or
find a way to peacefully co-exist with those that seceded.
2. Possible Answer: Other nations, such as France and the Netherlands,
also had colonial interests in North America and may have been
concerned if British colonists declared independence for groundless
reasons. Also, because Jefferson’s background as a lawyer, it might have
also been true that he was building a case for independence before the
world community, similar to what he might do if he were pleading a case
before a jury.
3. Jefferson would note that the purpose of government was to protect the
“inalienable rights” that man received from:”their Creator.” In his view, if
government became “destructive,” it was the right of the citizens to “alter
or abolish” that form of government and replace it with a better one.
Jefferson believed that governments derived their power “from the
consent of the governed.” In other words, the citizens of the nation
permitted the government to rule.
4. Possible Answer: Jefferson made this statement as a slave owner and
had no intention of granting citizenship status or equality to his black
slaves. Others might speculate that Jefferson believed in a literal
interpretation of this phrase and had no intention of granting equality or
the right to vote to women.
5. Possible Answer: The grievances that allowed the British military
occupation of colonial cities, imposing taxes without consent, grievances
that limit self-government and possibly grievances that caused
insurrections of Native Americans.
It would have been easier to focus their attention on one individual, King
George, than on Parliament. His likeness was on colonial money, so he
was known by all the colonists, while most members of Parliament were
not known to the average colonist. Focusing anger and displeasure on
one individual could provide a great psychological boost to the
independence movement.
6. The length of time between the fighting at Lexington and Concord and the
actual declaration of war probably occurred because most colonists (and
many delegates to the Continental Congress) hoped for some sort of
reconciliation with Britain. They felt that a declaration of war might
antagonize the British and make reconciliation difficult, if not impossible.