RS Notes: Declaration of Independence (2nd Hour)

Paragraph 1:
In everyday life, it becomes necessary for a society to separate from their government to form a
government that will serve the people.
Paragraph 2:
We believe all men are born with natural rights of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. To ensure those
rights, govts should be involved with the people. If a govt doesnt protect these rights, the people should
abolish it and make a new one that will. Creating a new govt that follows these principles will be more
stable. We dont do this lightly. It isnt normal for people to overthrow their govt, but we have suffered
many abuses.
27 Abuses of King George III
1. He doesnt make laws that are good for the people.
2. He wont pass laws without his consent.
3. He wont pass laws that are good for people unless they give up their representation.
4. He forces people into uncomfortable situations so they agree with him quicker.
5. He dismisses Parliament for not agreeing with his decisions.
6. He wont let people who disagree with him to be elected.
7. He wont let people immigrate to England.
8. He has kept govt from passing laws to create justice.
9. He controls judges by threatening their jobs and salaries.
10. He has created new offices to harass people.
11. He has kept the army ready in peacetime.
12. The army doesnt have to answer to the people.
13. The justice system does not reflect our rights.
14. The troops stay in our homes without our consent.
15. He protects troops from being convicted of crimes.
16. He wont let us trade with the world.
17. He taxes us without our permission.
18. He wont let us have a trial by jury.
19. We are being tried for fake crimes.
20. He is trying to establish absolute rule in the colonies.
21. He has taken away our constitutions and changed our govt.
22. He has gotten rid of our legislatures.
23. He started a war against the people of the colonies.
24. He has destroyed our seas, coasts, towns, and lives.
25. He is sending his army to destroy us.
26. He has forced colonists to join his army.
27. He wont protect us from Native Americans and has forced us to fight them.
Paragraph 3:
Every time we have asked him to stop, he has only harmed us. A tyrant cant rule a free people.
Paragraph 4:
We have warned the British citizens about his attempts to extend his jurisdiction over us. We have
reminded them of our common nationality. Theyve ignored us too, so were going to separate from them.
Well consider them enemies in war, but friends in peace.
Paragraph 5:
We, the people, are declaring independence. We are now free and independent states, free from control of
the British. As a country, we can go to war, negotiate peace, make allies, trade, and anything else a
country does. We have God and our fellow colonists on our side.