Summary:

"The Declaration of Independence" is an informational story that chronicles the creation and writing of the Declaration of Independence. It also looks at different important figures who contributed to and wrote this historic document - including Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock and John Adams. These men could have been tried for treason if the colonies lost the war and the king had found out they were behind the fight for independence.

The story starts with the historic vote on July 2, 1776 by representatives of the 13 colonies to declare independence from England.  All but New York voted for independence.  The Declaration of Independence document was passed by the representatives, after two days of strong debate, on July 4^th, which has become our national holiday.

Benjamin Franklin had declared himself for independence 2 years earlier (even though his son remained loyal to England!) and his opinion was respected by many and helped many move toward the support of independence.  John Adams was very strong in his support of independence and even made some enemies of those who were less sure.  Thomas Jefferson did the bulk of the writing of the Declaration of Independence.   His document first stated that the colonies declared themselves independent of British rule.  He then stated the “truths” behind this decision.  One of the most important truths was that all men were equal in the eyes of God and therefore governments should only exist with the agreement of the people they govern. This was based on what Jefferson called a natural law – “the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God”.  Jefferson also included a list of grievances against British rule (27!). .  The main complaints were against the king's taxes, the presence of British troops in the colonies and slavery.

Once the declaration was made and people in the colonies read it, more and more lined up to support independence from England.  The war that broke out lasted until 1783.  This insistence that people should have more say in the governments that ruled them spread to other countries, like France.  And in a final coincidence, in the year 1826, both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died within hours of each other on July 4^th.  It was the 50^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Key Concepts:

Much time and effort and cooperation went into writing the Declaration of Independence.

The men writing the declaration faced possible charges of treason and being hanged and the colonies faced the certainty of war by declaring themselves independent from England.

Vocabulary:

• delegation - group of people who represent a larger group
  
  
• reconciliation - an agreement or settlement
• 
  unalienable right - a right unable to be given or taken away
  
  
• document - paper containing important information
  
  
• radical - a rebel, someone who wants change

Spelling:

Changing the letter "y" to "i" when adding an ending with a vowel.

Try: heavy, heavier, worry, worried, envy, envious, butterfly, butterflies, daisy, and daisies

Story Questions:

1. Was everyone in the colonies in favor of independence? (no, one group wanted to work things out with England, one group wanted independence and one group could not make up its mind)

2. Why was signing the declaration of Independence a dangerous act? (those who signed it might be hung for treason against the British government)

3. Why was July 2, 1776 also an important date? (12 of the 13 colonies voted in favor in independence on that day)

4. Thomas Jefferson referred to "natural law" - what does he mean by that? (he thought that “natural law” was the law of Nature and Nature’s God and that is was more powerful than any king’s laws)