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| declaration of independence discussion questions: The Declaration of Independence Carl Lotus Becker, 2017 In this long essay Becker analyzed the structure, drafting, and philosophy of the Declaration. He recognizes that it was not intended as an objective historical statement of the causes of the Revolution, but merely furnished a moral and legal justification for rebellion. Step by step, the colonists modified their theory to suit their needs. Whenever men become sufficiently dissatisfied with the existing regime of positive law and custom, they will be found reaching out beyond it for the rational basis of what they conceive ought to be. This is what the Americans did in their controversy with Great Britain. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: Oration by Frederick Douglass. Delivered on the Occasion of the Unveiling of the Freedmen's Monument in Memory of Abraham Lincoln, in Lincoln Park, Washington, D.C., April 14th, 1876, with an Appendix Frederick Douglass, 2024-06-14 Reprint of the original, first published in 1876. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: The Declaration of Independence Carl Lotus Becker, 1922 |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: What Is the Declaration of Independence? Michael C. Harris, Who HQ, 2016-05-10 Step back in time to the birth of the United States of America and meet the real-life rebels who made this country free! On a hot summer day near Philadelphia in 1776, Thomas Jefferson sat at his desk and wrote furiously until early the next morning. He was drafting the Declaration of Independence, a document that would sever this country's ties with Britain and announce a new nation—The United States of America. Colonists were willing to risk their lives for freedom, and the Declaration of Independence made that official. Discover the true story of one of the most radical and uplifting documents in history and follow the action that fueled the Revolutionary War. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: Our Declaration: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Defense of Equality Danielle Allen, 2014-06-23 “A tour de force.... No one has ever written a book on the Declaration quite like this one.” —Gordon Wood, New York Review of Books Winner of the Zócalo Book Prize Winner of the Society of American Historians’ Francis Parkman Prize Winner of the Chicago Tribune’s Heartland Prize (Nonfiction) Finalist for the Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Foundation Hurston Wright Legacy Award Shortlisted for the PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction Shortlisted for the Phi Beta Kappa Society’s Ralph Waldo Emerson Award A New York Times Book Review Editors Choice Selection Featured on the front page of the New York Times, Our Declaration is already regarded as a seminal work that reinterprets the promise of American democracy through our founding text. Combining a personal account of teaching the Declaration with a vivid evocation of the colonial world between 1774 and 1777, Allen, a political philosopher renowned for her work on justice and citizenship reveals our nation’s founding text to be an animating force that not only changed the world more than two-hundred years ago, but also still can. Challenging conventional wisdom, she boldly makes the case that the Declaration is a document as much about political equality as about individual liberty. Beautifully illustrated throughout, Our Declaration is an “uncommonly elegant, incisive, and often poetic primer on America’s cardinal text” (David M. Kennedy). |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: Common Sense Thomas Paine, 1918 |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: American Scripture Pauline Maier, 2012-02-15 Pauline Maier shows us the Declaration as both the defining statement of our national identity and the moral standard by which we live as a nation. It is truly American Scripture, and Maier tells us how it came to be -- from the Declaration's birth in the hard and tortuous struggle by which Americans arrived at Independence to the ways in which, in the nineteenth century, the document itself became sanctified. Maier describes the transformation of the Second Continental Congress into a national government, unlike anything that preceded or followed it, and with more authority than the colonists would ever have conceded to the British Parliament; the great difficulty in making the decision for Independence; the influence of Paine's []Common Sense[], which shifted the terms of debate; and the political maneuvers that allowed Congress to make the momentous decision. In Maier's hands, the Declaration of Independence is brought close to us. She lets us hear the voice of the people as revealed in the other declarations of 1776: the local resolutions -- most of which have gone unnoticed over the past two centuries -- that explained, advocated, and justified Independence and undergirded Congress's work. Detective-like, she discloses the origins of key ideas and phrases in the Declaration and unravels the complex story of its drafting and of the group-editing job which angered Thomas Jefferson. Maier also reveals what happened to the Declaration after the signing and celebration: how it was largely forgotten and then revived to buttress political arguments of the nineteenth century; and, most important, how Abraham Lincoln ensured its persistence as a living force in American society. Finally, she shows how by the very act of venerating the Declaration as we do -- by holding it as sacrosanct, akin to holy writ -- we may actually be betraying its purpose and its power. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: Draft of the Declaration of Independence John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, 2014-10-29 John Adams (October 30 1735 - July 4, 1826) was the second president of the United States (1797-1801), having earlier served as the first vice president of the United States (1789-1797). An American Founding Father, Adams was a statesman, diplomat, and a leading advocate of American independence from Great Britain. Well educated, he was an Enlightenment political theorist who promoted republicanism, as well as a strong central government, and wrote prolifically about his often seminal ideas-both in published works and in letters to his wife and key adviser Abigail Adams. Adams was a lifelong opponent of slavery, having never bought a slave. In 1770 he provided a principled, controversial, and successful legal defense to the British soldiers accused in the Boston Massacre, because he believed in the right to counsel and the protect[ion] of innocence. Adams came to prominence in the early stages of the American Revolution. A lawyer and public figure in Boston, as a delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Congress, he played a leading role in persuading Congress to declare independence. He assisted Thomas Jefferson in drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and was its primary advocate in the Congress. Later, as a diplomat in Europe, he helped negotiate the eventual peace treaty with Great Britain, and was responsible for obtaining vital governmental loans from Amsterdam bankers. A political theorist and historian, Adams largely wrote the Massachusetts Constitution in 1780, which together with his earlier Thoughts on Government, influenced American political thought. One of his greatest roles was as a judge of character: in 1775, he nominated George Washington to be commander-in-chief, and 25 years later nominated John Marshall to be Chief Justice of the United States. Adams' revolutionary credentials secured him two terms as George Washington's vice president and his own election in 1796 as the second president. During his one term as president, he encountered ferocious attacks by the Jeffersonian Republicans, as well as the dominant faction in his own Federalist Party led by his bitter enemy Alexander Hamilton. Adams signed the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts, and built up the army and navy especially in the face of an undeclared naval war (called the Quasi-War) with France, 1798-1800. The major accomplishment of his presidency was his peaceful resolution of the conflict in the face of Hamilton's opposition. In 1800, Adams was defeated for re-election by Thomas Jefferson and retired to Massachusetts. He later resumed his friendship with Jefferson. He and his wife founded an accomplished family line of politicians, diplomats, and historians now referred to as the Adams political family. Adams was the father of John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States. His achievements have received greater recognition in modern times, though his contributions were not initially as celebrated as those of other Founders. Adams was the first U.S. president to reside in the executive mansion that eventually became known as the White House. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: The Haitian Declaration of Independence Julia Gaffield, 2016-01-11 While the Age of Revolution has long been associated with the French and American Revolutions, increasing attention is being paid to the Haitian Revolution as the third great event in the making of the modern world. A product of the only successful slave revolution in history, Haiti’s Declaration of Independence in 1804 stands at a major turning point in the trajectory of social, economic, and political relations in the modern world. This declaration created the second independent country in the Americas and certified a new genre of political writing. Despite Haiti’s global significance, however, scholars are only now beginning to understand the context, content, and implications of the Haitian Declaration of Independence. This collection represents the first in-depth, interdisciplinary, and integrated analysis by American, British, and Haitian scholars of the creation and dissemination of the document, its content and reception, and its legacy. Throughout, the contributors use newly discovered archival materials and innovative research methods to reframe the importance of Haiti within the Age of Revolution and to reinterpret the declaration as a founding document of the nineteenth-century Atlantic World. The authors offer new research about the key figures involved in the writing and styling of the document, its publication and dissemination, the significance of the declaration in the creation of a new nation-state, and its implications for neighboring islands. The contributors also use diverse sources to understand the lasting impact of the declaration on the country more broadly, its annual celebration and importance in the formation of a national identity, and its memory and celebration in Haitian Vodou song and ceremony. Taken together, these essays offer a clearer and more thorough understanding of the intricacies and complexities of the world’s second declaration of independence to create a lasting nation-state. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: Papers of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789 United States. National Archives and Records Service, 1971 |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: The Declaration of Independence David Armitage, 2007-01-15 In a stunningly original look at the American Declaration of Independence, David Armitage reveals the document in a new light: through the eyes of the rest of the world. Not only did the Declaration announce the entry of the United States onto the world stage, it became the model for other countries to follow. Armitage examines the Declaration as a political, legal, and intellectual document, and is the first to treat it entirely within a broad international framework. He shows how the Declaration arose within a global moment in the late eighteenth century similar to our own. He uses over one hundred declarations of independence written since 1776 to show the influence and role the U.S. Declaration has played in creating a world of states out of a world of empires. He discusses why the framers’ language of natural rights did not resonate in Britain, how the document was interpreted in the rest of the world, whether the Declaration established a new nation or a collection of states, and where and how the Declaration has had an overt influence on independence movements—from Haiti to Vietnam, and from Venezuela to Rhodesia. Included is the text of the U.S. Declaration of Independence and sample declarations from around the world. An eye-opening list of declarations of independence since 1776 is compiled here for the first time. This unique global perspective demonstrates the singular role of the United States document as a founding statement of our modern world. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: How the Word Is Passed Clint Smith, 2021-06-01 This “important and timely” (Drew Faust, Harvard Magazine) #1 New York Times bestseller examines the legacy of slavery in America—and how both history and memory continue to shape our everyday lives. Beginning in his hometown of New Orleans, Clint Smith leads the reader on an unforgettable tour of monuments and landmarks—those that are honest about the past and those that are not—that offer an intergenerational story of how slavery has been central in shaping our nation's collective history, and ourselves. It is the story of the Monticello Plantation in Virginia, the estate where Thomas Jefferson wrote letters espousing the urgent need for liberty while enslaving more than four hundred people. It is the story of the Whitney Plantation, one of the only former plantations devoted to preserving the experience of the enslaved people whose lives and work sustained it. It is the story of Angola, a former plantation-turned-maximum-security prison in Louisiana that is filled with Black men who work across the 18,000-acre land for virtually no pay. And it is the story of Blandford Cemetery, the final resting place of tens of thousands of Confederate soldiers. A deeply researched and transporting exploration of the legacy of slavery and its imprint on centuries of American history, How the Word Is Passed illustrates how some of our country's most essential stories are hidden in plain view—whether in places we might drive by on our way to work, holidays such as Juneteenth, or entire neighborhoods like downtown Manhattan, where the brutal history of the trade in enslaved men, women, and children has been deeply imprinted. Informed by scholarship and brought to life by the story of people living today, Smith's debut work of nonfiction is a landmark of reflection and insight that offers a new understanding of the hopeful role that memory and history can play in making sense of our country and how it has come to be. Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction Winner of the Stowe Prize Winner of 2022 Hillman Prize for Book Journalism A New York Times 10 Best Books of 2021 |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: The Secret Wife of Aaron Burr Susan Holloway Scott, 2019-09-24 Inspired by a woman and events forgotten by history, bestselling author Susan Holloway Scott weaves together carefully researched fact and fiction to tell the story of Mary Emmons, and the place she held in the life—and the heart—of the notorious Aaron Burr. He was a hero of the Revolution, a brilliant politician, lawyer, and very nearly president; a skillful survivor in a raw new country filled with constantly shifting loyalties. Today Aaron Burr is remembered more for the fatal duel that killed rival Alexander Hamilton. But long before that single shot destroyed Burr’s political career, there were other dark whispers about him: that he was untrustworthy, a libertine, a man unafraid of claiming whatever he believed should be his. Sold into slavery as a child in India, Mary Emmons was brought to an America torn by war. Toughened by the experiences of her young life, Mary is intelligent, resourceful, and strong. She quickly gains the trust of her new mistress, Theodosia Prevost, and becomes indispensable in a complicated household filled with intrigue—especially when the now-widowed Theodosia marries Colonel Aaron Burr. As Theodosia sickens with the fatal disease that will finally kill her, Mary and Burr are drawn together into a private world of power and passion, and a secret, tangled union that would have shocked the nation . . . Praise for I, Eliza Hamilton “Scott’s devotion to research is evident . . . a rewarding take on a fascinating historical couple.” —Library Journal “Readers will be captivated.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Packed with political and historical as well as domestic details.” —Booklist |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: Learn about the United States U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, 2009 Learn About the United States is intended to help permanent residents gain a deeper understanding of U.S. history and government as they prepare to become citizens. The product presents 96 short lessons, based on the sample questions from which the civics portion of the naturalization test is drawn. An audio CD that allows students to listen to the questions, answers, and civics lessons read aloud is also included. For immigrants preparing to naturalize, the chance to learn more about the history and government of the United States will make their journey toward citizenship a more meaningful one. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: The Everything American Presidents Book Martin Kelly, Melissa Kelly, 2007-05-11 The Everything American Presidents Book is an excellent source of information about each of the forty-three men who have served as chief executive of the United States. This exhaustive guide provides you with all you need to know about this country's leaders, including: Their early childhood and formative years The effect of the office on wives and children The triumphs and tragedies that shaped them The legacy of each man's term in office Written in an entertaining style by two experienced educators, this fun and informative guide is packed with facts and details about the life and times of each president and the major events that shaped his term. The Everything American Presidents Book has everything you need to know about the fascinating men who shaped U.S. history and policy. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: American Dialogue Joseph J. Ellis, 2018-10-16 The award-winning author of Founding Brothers and The Quartet now gives us a deeply insightful examination of the relevance of the views of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and John Adams to some of the most divisive issues in America today. The story of history is a ceaseless conversation between past and present, and in American Dialogue Joseph J. Ellis focuses the conversation on the often-asked question What would the Founding Fathers think? He examines four of our most seminal historical figures through the prism of particular topics, using the perspective of the present to shed light on their views and, in turn, to make clear how their now centuries-old ideas illuminate the disturbing impasse of today's political conflicts. He discusses Jefferson and the issue of racism, Adams and the specter of economic inequality, Washington and American imperialism, Madison and the doctrine of original intent. Through these juxtapositions--and in his hallmark dramatic and compelling narrative voice--Ellis illuminates the obstacles and pitfalls paralyzing contemporary discussions of these fundamentally important issues. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: Strictures Upon the Declaration of the Congress at Philadelphia Thomas Hutchinson, 1776 |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: Alexander Hamilton's Famous Report on Manufactures United States. Department of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, 1892 |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: Notes on the State of Virginia Thomas Jefferson, 1787 |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: American Sphinx Joseph J. Ellis, 1998-11-19 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER Following Thomas Jefferson from the drafting of the Declaration of Independence to his retirement in Monticello, Joseph J. Ellis unravels the contradictions of the Jeffersonian character. He gives us the slaveholding libertarian who was capable of decrying mescegenation while maintaing an intimate relationship with his slave, Sally Hemmings; the enemy of government power who exercisdd it audaciously as president; the visionarty who remained curiously blind to the inconsistencies in his nature. American Sphinx is a marvel of scholarship, a delight to read, and an essential gloss on the Jeffersonian legacy. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: "Most Blessed of the Patriarchs": Thomas Jefferson and the Empire of the Imagination Annette Gordon-Reed, Peter S. Onuf, 2016-04-13 New York Times Bestseller Named one of the Best Books of the Year by the San Francisco Chronicle Finalist for the George Washington Prize Finalist for the Library of Virginia Literary Award A New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice Selection An important book…[R]ichly rewarding. It is full of fascinating insights about Jefferson. —Gordon S. Wood, New York Review of Books Hailed by critics and embraced by readers, Most Blessed of the Patriarchs is one of the richest and most insightful accounts of Thomas Jefferson in a generation. Following her Pulitzer Prize–winning The Hemingses of Monticello¸ Annette Gordon-Reed has teamed with Peter S. Onuf to present a provocative and absorbing character study, a fresh and layered analysis (New York Times Book Review) that reveals our third president as a dynamic, complex and oftentimes contradictory human being (Chicago Tribune). Gordon-Reed and Onuf fundamentally challenge much of what we thought we knew, and through their painstaking research and vivid prose create a portrait of Jefferson, as he might have painted himself, one comprised of equal parts sun and shadow (Jane Kamensky). |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: Independence Hall in American Memory Charlene Mires, 2015-11-04 Independence Hall is a place Americans think they know well. Within its walls the Continental Congress declared independence in 1776, and in 1787 the Founding Fathers drafted the U.S. Constitution there. Painstakingly restored to evoke these momentous events, the building appears to have passed through time unscathed, from the heady days of the American Revolution to today. But Independence Hall is more than a symbol of the young nation. Beyond this, according to Charlene Mires, it has a long and varied history of changing uses in an urban environment, almost all of which have been forgotten. In Independence Hall, Mires rediscovers and chronicles the lost history of Independence Hall, in the process exploring the shifting perceptions of this most important building in America's popular imagination. According to Mires, the significance of Independence Hall cannot be fully appreciated without assessing the full range of political, cultural, and social history that has swirled about it for nearly three centuries. During its existence, it has functioned as a civic and cultural center, a political arena and courtroom, and a magnet for public celebrations and demonstrations. Artists such as Thomas Sully frequented Independence Square when Philadelphia served as the nation's capital during the 1790s, and portraitist Charles Willson Peale merged the arts, sciences, and public interest when he transformed a portion of the hall into a center for natural science in 1802. In the 1850s, hearings for accused fugitive slaves who faced the loss of freedom were held, ironically, in this famous birthplace of American independence. Over the years Philadelphians have used the old state house and its public square in a multitude of ways that have transformed it into an arena of conflict: labor grievances have echoed regularly in Independence Square since the 1830s, while civil rights protesters exercised their right to free speech in the turbulent 1960s. As much as the Founding Fathers, these people and events illuminate the building's significance as a cultural symbol. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: American Government 3e Glen Krutz, Sylvie Waskiewicz, 2023-05-12 Black & white print. American Government 3e aligns with the topics and objectives of many government courses. Faculty involved in the project have endeavored to make government workings, issues, debates, and impacts meaningful and memorable to students while maintaining the conceptual coverage and rigor inherent in the subject. With this objective in mind, the content of this textbook has been developed and arranged to provide a logical progression from the fundamental principles of institutional design at the founding, to avenues of political participation, to thorough coverage of the political structures that constitute American government. The book builds upon what students have already learned and emphasizes connections between topics as well as between theory and applications. The goal of each section is to enable students not just to recognize concepts, but to work with them in ways that will be useful in later courses, future careers, and as engaged citizens. In order to help students understand the ways that government, society, and individuals interconnect, the revision includes more examples and details regarding the lived experiences of diverse groups and communities within the United States. The authors and reviewers sought to strike a balance between confronting the negative and harmful elements of American government, history, and current events, while demonstrating progress in overcoming them. In doing so, the approach seeks to provide instructors with ample opportunities to open discussions, extend and update concepts, and drive deeper engagement. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: U.S. History P. Scott Corbett, Volker Janssen, John M. Lund, Todd Pfannestiel, Sylvie Waskiewicz, Paul Vickery, 2024-09-10 U.S. History is designed to meet the scope and sequence requirements of most introductory courses. The text provides a balanced approach to U.S. history, considering the people, events, and ideas that have shaped the United States from both the top down (politics, economics, diplomacy) and bottom up (eyewitness accounts, lived experience). U.S. History covers key forces that form the American experience, with particular attention to issues of race, class, and gender. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: I Survived the American Revolution, 1776 (I Survived #15) Lauren Tarshis, 2017-08-29 Bestselling author Lauren Tarshis tackles the American Revolution in this latest installment of the groundbreaking, New York Times bestselling I Survived series. Bestselling author Lauren Tarshis tackles the American Revolution in this latest installment of the groundbreaking, New York Times bestselling I Survived series. British soldiers were everywhere. There was no escape. Nathaniel Fox never imagined he'd find himself in the middle of a blood-soaked battlefield, fighting for his life. He was only eleven years old! He'd barely paid attention to the troubles between America and England. How could he, while being worked to the bone by his cruel uncle, Uriah Storch? But when his uncle's rage forces him to flee the only home he knows, Nate is suddenly propelled toward a thrilling and dangerous journey into the heart of the Revolutionary War. He finds himself in New York City on the brink of what will be the biggest battle yet. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: U.S. History, Grades 6 - 12 George R. Lee, 2017-01-03 The Mark Twain U.S. History: People and Events 1607–1865 social studies book highlights the decisions and events that have played an important part in shaping America during that time. This middle school history book includes profiles of the people who made those decisions and a timeline of events. U.S. History: People and Events takes your students on a journey through America’s past and challenges them with activities to spark discussion and deepen their understanding for how America came to be. These activities include: -map analysis -discussion questions -graphic organizers -research opportunities Mark Twain Media Publishing Company proudly creates engaging supplemental books and decorations for middle-grade and upper-grade classrooms. Designed by leading educators, Mark Twain products cover a range of subjects, including science, language arts, fine arts, government, social studies, history, character, and conduct. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: Crow Barbara Wright, 2013-03-12 The summer of 1898 is filled with ups and downs for 11-year-old Moses. He's growing apart from his best friend, his superstitious Boo-Nanny butts heads constantly with his pragmatic, educated father, and his mother is reeling from the discovery of a family secret. Yet there are good times, too. He's teaching his grandmother how to read. For the first time she's sharing stories about her life as a slave. And his father and his friends are finally getting the respect and positions of power they've earned in the Wilmington, North Carolina, community. But not everyone is happy with the political changes at play and some will do anything, including a violent plot against the government, to maintain the status quo. One generation away from slavery, a thriving African American community—enfranchised and emancipated—suddenly and violently loses its freedom in turn-of-the-century North Carolina when a group of local politicians stages the only successful coup d'etat in US history. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: Forged in Faith Rod Gragg, 2010-06-01 The true drama of how faith motivated America’s Founding Fathers, influenced the Declaration of Independence and inspired the birth of the nation. This fascinating history, based on meticulous research into the correspondence and documentation of the founding fathers leading up to and encompassing the crafting of the Declaration of Independence, sheds light on how the Judeo-Christian worldview motivated America’s founding fathers, influenced national independence, inspired our foundational documents, and established the American nation. Written with the pacing and drama of an enticing drama, Forged in Faith is crafted for popular appeal with a compelling mix of dramatized story and action-driven narrative, yet with the authenticity and academic verity of historian Rod Gragg. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: The Belmont Report United States. National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research, 1978 |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: Thomas Paine and the Dangerous Word Sarah Jane Marsh, 2018-05-04 The mind once enlightened cannot again become dark. As an English corset-maker's son, Thomas Paine was expected to spend his life sewing women's underwear. But as a teenager, Thomas dared to change his destiny, enduring years of struggle until a meeting with Benjamin Franklin brought Thomas to America in 1774-and into the American Revolution. Within fourteen months, Thomas would unleash the persuasive power of the written word in Common Sense-a brash wake-up call that rallied the American people to declare independence against the mightiest empire in the world. This fascinating and extensively researched biography, based on numerous primary sources, will immerse readers in Thomas Paine's inspiring journey of courage, failure, and resilience that led a penniless immigrant to change the world with his words. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: Our Republican Constitution Randy E. Barnett, 2016-04-19 A concise history of the long struggle between two fundamentally opposing constitutional traditions, from one of the nation’s leading constitutional scholars—a manifesto for renewing our constitutional republic. The Constitution of the United States begins with the words: “We the People.” But from the earliest days of the American republic, there have been two competing notions of “the People,” which lead to two very different visions of the Constitution. Those who view “We the People” collectively think popular sovereignty resides in the people as a group, which leads them to favor a “democratic” constitution that allows the “will of the people” to be expressed by majority rule. In contrast, those who think popular sovereignty resides in the people as individuals contend that a “republican” constitution is needed to secure the pre-existing inalienable rights of “We the People,” each and every one, against abuses by the majority. In Our Republican Constitution, renowned legal scholar Randy E. Barnett tells the fascinating story of how this debate arose shortly after the Revolution, leading to the adoption of a new and innovative “republican” constitution; and how the struggle over slavery led to its completion by a newly formed Republican Party. Yet soon thereafter, progressive academics and activists urged the courts to remake our Republican Constitution into a democratic one by ignoring key passes of its text. Eventually, the courts complied. Drawing from his deep knowledge of constitutional law and history, as well as his experience litigating on behalf of medical marijuana and against Obamacare, Barnett explains why “We the People” would greatly benefit from the renewal of our Republican Constitution, and how this can be accomplished in the courts and the political arena. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: Liberty! Lucille Recht Penner, 2002-07-23 Depicts the outbreak of the American Revolution at Lexington in 1775 through stories and illustrations. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: Rescuing the Declaration of Independence Anna Crowley Redding, 2020 Today the Declaration of Independence is one of the United States' most heavily guarded treasures, but during the War of 1812 it would have been destroyed if not for one man whose story has nearly been forgotten by time. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: Letter from Birmingham Jail Martin Luther King, 2025-01-14 A beautiful commemorative edition of Dr. Martin Luther King's essay Letter from Birmingham Jail, part of Dr. King's archives published exclusively by HarperCollins. With an afterword by Reginald Dwayne Betts On April 16, 1923, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., responded to an open letter written and published by eight white clergyman admonishing the civil rights demonstrations happening in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. King drafted his seminal response on scraps of paper smuggled into jail. King criticizes his detractors for caring more about order than justice, defends nonviolent protests, and argues for the moral responsibility to obey just laws while disobeying unjust ones. Letter from Birmingham Jail proclaims a message - confronting any injustice is an acceptable and righteous reason for civil disobedience. This beautifully designed edition presents Dr. King's speech in its entirety, paying tribute to this extraordinary leader and his immeasurable contribution, and inspiring a new generation of activists dedicated to carrying on the fight for justice and equality. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: The Penguin Guide to the United States Constitution Richard Beeman, 2010-08-31 What is the President, Congress, and the Supreme Court really allowed to do? This unique and handy guide includes the documents that guide our government, annotated with accessible explanations from one of America's most esteemed constitutional scholars. Known across the country for his appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Professor Richard Beeman is one of the nation's foremost experts on the United States Constitution. In this book, he has produced what every American should have: a compact, fully annotated copy of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and amendments, all in their entirety. A marvel of accessibility and erudition, the guide also features a history of the making of the Constitution with excerpts from The Federalist Papers and a look at crucial Supreme Court cases that reminds us that the meaning of many of the specific provisions of the Constitution has changed over time. Excellent . . . valuable and judicious. -Jill Lepore, The New Yorker |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: Carrying Independence Karen A. Chase, 2019-06-11 In 1776, with pressure mounting to join the American Revolution, an intrepid young Post rider, Nathaniel Marten, accepts the task of carrying the sole copy of the Declaration of Independence to seven congressmen unable to attend the formal signing. British generals and double-crossing spies are eager to capture both him and the document so they can divide the colonies already weakened by war. Through encounters with well-known original founding fathers and mothers, and by witnessing the effects of the Revolution on ordinary Americans, Nathaniel must learn that independence--for himself, for those he loves, and for the country--is not granted, it's chosen. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: A Pretty Story Written in the Year of Our Lord 2774 Peter Grievous (pseud. van Francis Hopkinson.), 1970 |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death (Annotated) Patrick Henry, 2020-12-22 'Give me Liberty, or give me Death'! is a famous quotation attributed to Patrick Henry from a speech he made to the Virginia Convention. It was given March 23, 1775, at St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia, .. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: What Did the Constitution Mean To Early Americans? Edward Countryman, 1999-01-15 When the Framers met in Philadelphia during the summer of 1787 they created a document that described the fledging country of colonists as one single, sovereign American people. This declaration--an act of faith even--affected different kinds of Americans in different ways. This volume explores how the American People shaped, responded, and debated the document and why historians have difficulties in deciding upon any single meaning that the founding generation of Americans might have held. The Constitution was the product of great skill and artistry; the document's success in forging a government based on the consent of the American People compels us to look at the political discourse of the day so that we may better understand the Constitution's inception, its wording, and its legacy. |
| declaration of independence discussion questions: The Law of American Slavery Kermit L. Hall, 1987 This work is a collection of articles on the operation of the law or slavery in the American South before the Civil War. The reliance of the law to define the condition of the slave under the American slavery system is analyzed in these articles. |
Discussion Questions Declaration of Independence, etc
1. Why does the Declaration of Independence talk about the “pursuit of happiness” instead of talking about each person’s right to be happy? 2. What do the writers of the Declaration mean …
The Declaration of Independence: A Close Reading Text …
Text-Dependent Questions Use the following method to address each of the questions below. • Discuss the questions in groups of 2 – 3. • Write what you think is the best answer to each …
Living Up to Our Declaration of Independence - izzit.org
Preview Questions 1. Why are goals, or ideals, useful? Are they useful even if we don’t meet them as fully as we’d hoped? Why or why not? 2. What are the most famous parts of the Declaration …
The Declaration of Independence - Mater Academy Charter …
Dec 6, 2017 · 3. What are the four parts of the Declaration of Independence? Which section do you feel is the most powerful in the argument for independence? Explain your reasoning. 4. …
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION LESSON ONE: THE …
Identify and describe ele-ments of the philosophy of government expressed in the Declaration of Independence. Explain the contradictions between ideals contained in the Declaration of …
Declaration of Independence Questions - teachbritannica.com
Then answer the following questions. 1. What is the Declaration of Independence, and what does it proclaim? 2. Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence? 3. When was the …
Declaration of Independence: Student Worksheet - US History …
Answer the following questions using the Declaration of Independence. Preamble 1. What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence? (Paragraph 1) The purpose of the Declaration of …
Discussion Questions - craftinamerica.org
Discussion Questions B e fo r e V i e w i n g: Introduce the DEMOCRACY episode segment featuring calligrapher Sammy Little, who inscribes a quote from the Declaration of …
Declaration of Independence Primary Source Questions
What does the Declaration say is the purpose of a government? 3. Who do you think the authors intended their audience to be? 4. Was the Declaration the first time the colonists relayed their …
The Declaration of Independence: A Foundation of Ideas for a …
Discussion Questions 1. What did the narrator mean when he said”. . . the Declaration of Independence was more than just a document, it was a declaration of ideas”? 2. Were the …
Declaration of Independence Lesson - virginiahistory.org
Objective: After a close reading of the Declaration of Independence, students will be able to discuss and analyze the grievances put forth by the American colonists against King George …
1 The Declaration of Independence - Hillsdale College
̵ Question 8: Why is the Declaration of Independence important? ̵ Question 9: What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain? Question 10: Name two …
Student Activity Sheet: Investigating the Declaration of …
Student Activity Sheet: Investigating the Declaration of Independence Grievances: Group 1 Directions: 1. Read the complaints assigned to your group. 2. Discuss each complaint with your …
The Declaration of Independence - Week 4
Q: What are the parts to the Declaration of Independence and what is each about? A: Preamble - defines the rights; middle section - lists complaints against the king; third (concluding) section - …
CommonLit | The Declaration of Independence - Ms. Meyer's …
Discussion Questions Directions: Brainstorm your answers to the following questions in the space provided. Be prepared to share your original ideas in a class discussion. 1. How does this …
The Declaration of Independence: Differentiated Learning …
Discuss what students know about the Declaration of Independence. Possible questions include: Why was it written? When was it written? Who wrote it? 5.
Lesson 2: Writing the Declaration of Independence - Teach …
This two-day lesson examines the Declaration of Independence and the key ideas behind it. On day one, students first explore the purpose of government as they react to the question: Why …
Declaring Independence - Week 3
Think and Review Questions 1. How did the Declaration of Independence undergo changes? 2. Why did Paul Revere and others ride through the countryside from Lexington to Concord? 3. …
Unit Lesson Plan #6: The Declaration of Independence
Now we will begin our introduction into the Declaration of Independence. We will first have a lecture over the following: • In the spring of 1776 the Second Continental Congress met in a red …
Lesson prepared by Erica W. Benson; MA North American …
Answer Essential Historical Questions • What was the original intent of publishing the Declaration of Independence and how/why have its words launched reform movements throughout US …
Discussion Questions Declaration of Independence, etc
1. Why does the Declaration of Independence talk about the “pursuit of happiness” instead of talking about each person’s right to be happy? 2. What do the writers of the Declaration mean …
The Declaration of Independence: A Close Reading Text …
Text-Dependent Questions Use the following method to address each of the questions below. • Discuss the questions in groups of 2 – 3. • Write what you think is the best answer to each …
Living Up to Our Declaration of Independence - izzit.org
Preview Questions 1. Why are goals, or ideals, useful? Are they useful even if we don’t meet them as fully as we’d hoped? Why or why not? 2. What are the most famous parts of the Declaration …
The Declaration of Independence - Mater Academy Charter …
Dec 6, 2017 · 3. What are the four parts of the Declaration of Independence? Which section do you feel is the most powerful in the argument for independence? Explain your reasoning. 4. …
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION LESSON ONE: THE …
Identify and describe ele-ments of the philosophy of government expressed in the Declaration of Independence. Explain the contradictions between ideals contained in the Declaration of …
Declaration of Independence Questions - teachbritannica.com
Then answer the following questions. 1. What is the Declaration of Independence, and what does it proclaim? 2. Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence? 3. When was the …
Declaration of Independence: Student Worksheet - US …
Answer the following questions using the Declaration of Independence. Preamble 1. What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence? (Paragraph 1) The purpose of the Declaration of …
Discussion Questions - craftinamerica.org
Discussion Questions B e fo r e V i e w i n g: Introduce the DEMOCRACY episode segment featuring calligrapher Sammy Little, who inscribes a quote from the Declaration of …
Declaration of Independence Primary Source Questions
What does the Declaration say is the purpose of a government? 3. Who do you think the authors intended their audience to be? 4. Was the Declaration the first time the colonists relayed their …
The Declaration of Independence: A Foundation of Ideas for …
Discussion Questions 1. What did the narrator mean when he said”. . . the Declaration of Independence was more than just a document, it was a declaration of ideas”? 2. Were the …
Declaration of Independence Lesson - virginiahistory.org
Objective: After a close reading of the Declaration of Independence, students will be able to discuss and analyze the grievances put forth by the American colonists against King George …
1 The Declaration of Independence - Hillsdale College
̵ Question 8: Why is the Declaration of Independence important? ̵ Question 9: What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain? Question 10: Name two …
Student Activity Sheet: Investigating the Declaration of …
Student Activity Sheet: Investigating the Declaration of Independence Grievances: Group 1 Directions: 1. Read the complaints assigned to your group. 2. Discuss each complaint with your …
The Declaration of Independence - Week 4
Q: What are the parts to the Declaration of Independence and what is each about? A: Preamble - defines the rights; middle section - lists complaints against the king; third (concluding) section - …
CommonLit | The Declaration of Independence - Ms.
Discussion Questions Directions: Brainstorm your answers to the following questions in the space provided. Be prepared to share your original ideas in a class discussion. 1. How does this …
The Declaration of Independence: Differentiated Learning …
Discuss what students know about the Declaration of Independence. Possible questions include: Why was it written? When was it written? Who wrote it? 5.
Lesson 2: Writing the Declaration of Independence - Teach …
This two-day lesson examines the Declaration of Independence and the key ideas behind it. On day one, students first explore the purpose of government as they react to the question: Why …
Declaring Independence - Week 3
Think and Review Questions 1. How did the Declaration of Independence undergo changes? 2. Why did Paul Revere and others ride through the countryside from Lexington to Concord? 3. …
Unit Lesson Plan #6: The Declaration of Independence
Now we will begin our introduction into the Declaration of Independence. We will first have a lecture over the following: • In the spring of 1776 the Second Continental Congress met in a red …
Lesson prepared by Erica W. Benson; MA North American …
Answer Essential Historical Questions • What was the original intent of publishing the Declaration of Independence and how/why have its words launched reform movements throughout US …
