Independence Day
6 items
Declaration of Independence
Primary Source - 1801 Words
Primary Source
1801 Words
On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee brought what came to be called the Lee Resolution before the Continental Congress. This resolution stated “these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states ...” Congress debated independence for several days.
The Path to Independence
Lesson - 9 Activities
Lesson
9 Activities
90 Min
Use this lesson after students have read the Stamp Act Resistance Narrative, The Boston Massacre Narrative, and The Boston Tea Party Narrative. This lesson should be followed by the Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence Narrative and the Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776 Primary Source analysis.
90 Min
Essay: Rights and the Declaration of Independence
Essay - 1356 Words
Essay
1356 Words
The Declaration of Independence, based in part on the philosophy of John Locke, was an "expression of the American mind". Going back to Magna Carta, British nobles had petitioned the monarch demanding limits to his power. But Locke argues and the Declaration of Independence asserts that legitimate government is based on the consent of the governed. Locke's ideas were too democratic, too revolutionary for his time in England, but a century later they had a firm hold in the American colonies, and in 1776 they were the basis of the original and most fundamental American statement of rights, the Declaration of Independence.
We Hold These Truths: Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence, and Identity
Lesson - 1 Activities
Lesson
1 Activities
45 Min
How did Thomas Jefferson identity shape the writing of the Declaration of Independence?
45 Min
Why Do We Celebrate the Fourth of July?
Podcast
Podcast
28 Min
The 4th has many different meanings for many different groups in America. Some see it as a time to celebrate with barbecues, others ask deep questions about the prevalence of slavery conflicting with the ideas of freedom for all presented in the Declaration of Independence, many do both! Mary, Gary, and Eryn explore these themes and more.
28 Min
