Name: ______Date: ______Period: ______
The Declaration of Independence: pages 236-240
Pre-Reading: Answer the following questions thoroughly and in complete sentences. Be prepared to discuss.
- When and in what context is rebellion justified?
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- Enlightenment thinker John Locke believed that rebellion against injustice was a basic right. Do you agree or disagree? Explain your reasoning based upon your above response.
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Close Reading:
- What claim does Jefferson present in the preamble of the Declaration and what support does he say he will provide?
Targeted Passage 1 (lines 7-15): This passage establishes the right of the colonists to control their government.
1. According to the document, what rights to people have that cannot be taken away?
2. How do governments get their power?
3. When do people have a right to form their own government?
- What counterargument does Jefferson anticipate in lines 15-22? What claim does he make at the end of the paragraph and what does he say he is about to do?
- Why might the list of complaints (18 total), make up the largest part of the four part structure?
In the below chart identify and categorize the grievances listed Jefferson. Then place specific grievances in each category.
Which of the above grievances are the most insufferable and why?
Targeted Passage 2 (lines 59-76): This passage identifies legislation of the English Parliament that the colonies oppose.
1. Why do the colonies oppose quartering the King’s troops?
2. Why do they oppose the King’s taxes?
- Why do they oppose Parliament making laws for them?
F. In lines 102-104, what objections does Jefferson appear to be anticipating and refuting with counterarguments?
Targeted Passage 3 (lines 105-116): This passage concludes the Declaration of Independence with a formal statement of the Colonies’ right to be independent.
1. What do the United Colonies declare to the world?
2. What do they say about their ties to Great Britain?
3. What powers of Government do they claim for their independent state?
After Reading Questions
6. Make Inferences. The Declaration clearly takes aim at the abuses of King George to justify the colonists’ rebellion. Re-read lines 102-104. To what extent does the document hold the British people responsible? What is the new relationship declared between Americans and their “British brethren”, and how might it differ from the old?
10. Compare texts. Compare Jefferson’s Declaration with Patrick Henry’s Speech in the Virginia Convention (226-230). What was the purpose of each and which do you feel was more effective. Explain.
11. Historical Context. Jefferson’s celebrated statement “All men are created equal” only applied to white men at the time. How has the meaning of Jefferson’s statement changed over time? How has it stayed the same?
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