IntroductionIntroduction
Essential Question: What are the major ideas behind the Declaration of Independence?
"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall al hang separately."
Which patriot do you think spoke the words quoted above the painting entitled “Declaration of Independence?” What do you think he meant by this statement? Is this statement found in any important document?
One might assume the quote is connected to and possibly found in the Declaration of Independence. One might further guess that it is Thomas Jefferson’s quote since he is the main author of the Declaration of Independence. There is a definite connection; however, it is not Jefferson’s quote and it is not found in the Declaration. Benjamin Franklin made this statement at the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Franklin was pointing out the importance of the decision and consequences of declaring independence.
Roll over the image to learn more about the Declaration of Independence.
Don't forget to check out the Timeline of the Revolutionary War.
Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Identify the role of the publication of Common Sense and the signing of the Declaration of Independence on the American Revolution
- Explain the role of key revolutionary leaders at the start of the fighting including, Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson
- Summarize major ideas of the Declaration of Independence, including the theories of John Locke, Charles de Montesquieu, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau
The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: United States History I: Objectives: 3, 3.1 and 3.3.
This lesson incorporates the following Literacy Standards: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R8, R9, R10, W1, W2, W3 (Bonus), W4, W9 and W10.
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