Declaration of Independence

Topic 1.1: Ideals of Democracy Required Document: Excerpts from The Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson (for a committee) Source Analysis Before You Read Political scientists analyze founding documents for ways that they relate to our government today. They focus less on the historical situation and more on how the principles established in the documents were used to create our governmental structures. As you prepare to read the Declaration of Independence from a political science perspective, take a moment and think about what some of the main themes in the Declaration mean to you. When you think about our government, how do you think these principles relate? What individual rights should a government protect for its people? The first amendment. Paired with: Excerpts from Second Treatise of Civil Government by John Locke Related Concepts: ◼ Purpose of Government ◼ Natural Rights ◼ Social Contract Theory ◼ Balance Between Liberty and Order Definition What government should provide for the people? The government should provide the people with things like education healthcare, hospital care and military protection, in return the people Describe characteristics, attributes, traits, and elements in defining terms and concepts. should pay taxes so the government can provide those things How the people hold government accountable? Source Analysis If the government is abusing power and making irrational decisions, the people have a right to overthrowthem. The people can make sure the government does not become too powerful and make certain decisions without consent of the people Describe the author’s claim(s), perspective, evidence, and reasoning. The Declaration of Independence As you read the text, consider how the author develops an argument for independence that reflects his perspective on the nature and purpose of government. Try to identify the evidence he uses to support his argument. Think about how Jefferson defines rights and how government relates to those rights. The questions you see in the margin will guide your note-taking and help you see the evidence and reasoning Jefferson uses. Definitions for some non-academic vocabulary words and phrases can be found at the bottom of the page. Second Continental Congress, July 4, 1776 In Congress, July 4, 1776. Check Your Understanding Use the space below the first paragraph to rewrite what Jefferson is saying in your own words. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. Academic Vocabulary Find the phrase “Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God” in this paragraph. Use context clues within the text to determine what Jefferson means. He means that everyone should be treated equally in mankind. If the government starts to turn on the people, looking for what is best for them rather than the good of the people, then the public has the right to end their political alliance with the government. Source Analysis Highlight or underline the phrase in this paragraph that explains why Jefferson wrote this document. dissolve: bring to an end entitle: establish a right to impel: force or urge We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Check Your Understanding Circle the specific rights that Jefferson outlines in this section. Connect to Content Describe one way in which Jefferson’s description of rights relates to your understanding of the American governmental system. Jefferson's description of rights relates to my understanding of the American governmental system because we make laws, we have a court system, we vote and have representation in our democracy Academic Vocabulary What does Jefferson mean by Liberty in this context? He means freedom. —That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, —That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. self-evident: evident without proof or reasoning unalienable: incapable of being given up Check Your Understanding Describe one characteristic of government that Jefferson mentions. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute Government Sourcenew Analysis Explain one claim Jefferson makes about the purpose of government. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. —Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. evinces: reveals or shows clearly usurpations: to take or make use of without right Source Analysis According to Jefferson, under what conditions are the people justified in throwing off a government? Under absolute deposition. Source Analysis What does the text on this page tell us about Jefferson’s perspective on government? He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them…. … In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people…. We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the Rectitude of our Intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly Publish and Declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political Connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved . . . 7 Check Your Understanding Here, Jefferson names a series of grievances or complaints against the King. How does this list relate to Jefferson’s earlier assertions about the nature and purpose of government? make the connection by expressing that the purpose and nature of government is that it governs by the consent of the people and is charged with protecting natural rights. This list provides evidence that Great Britain is violating those rights. Source Analysis How does Jefferson use these grievances as evidence to support his claim? After You Read Thinking Like a Political Scientist Reasoning Process: Describe Based on the reading, describe two characteristics Jefferson applies to a government. The government only get their power form the consent of the governed and the government should protect the “unalienable rights” of the people What traits does Jefferson use to describe bad government? Those who ignore the complaints of the people, and those who look out for their best interest rather than what is best for the people Political Science Disciplinary Practices Source Analysis What was Jefferson’s claim? That the government gets their power from the consent of the people, and Britain operated without that consent. What evidence did he use to support his claim? He lists the complaints the colonies had with Britain and showed that when the colony raised concerns the government only continued to abuse the people. What line of reasoning is Jefferson using to structure his argument causation or comparison? How do you know? Causation, because he shows all the events that built up to the moment the 13colonies declared independence How does the evidence used by Jefferson relate to and support the claim? It relates and supportshis claim as it shows that Britain has failed to gain the consent of the people and ignored their grievance Second Treatise of Civil Government In John Locke’s Second Treatise, the Enlightenment philosopher explains his theory of natural rights and the social contract. Aspects of Locke’s work can be found in the Declaration of Independence. A political scientist reads and analyzes the Second Treatise in an effort to deepen his or her understanding of our founding principles. This text, like the Declaration of Independence, is a primary source document. It is a challenging read. As a reader, consider what this may mean in terms of your pacing and stamina. As you read the text, consider how the author develops an argument about people’s rights and government. Make notes in the margin of the text where you see evidence being used to advance the argument. As you respond to the questions both in the margins and those that follow the reading, it is often useful to cite the specific text that formed the basis on your response. Source Information: The Second Treatise of Government (1690), by John Locke Of the State of Nature. Sec. 4. To understand political power right, and derive it from its original, we must consider, what state all men are naturally in, and that is, a state of perfect freedom to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions and persons, as they think fit, within the bounds of the law of nature, without asking leave, or depending upon the will of any other man. Check Your Understanding According to Locke, what is the natural state of men? A state also of equality, wherein all the power and jurisdiction is reciprocal, no one having more than another; there being nothing more evident, than that creatures of the same species and rank, promiscuously born to all the same advantages of nature, and the use of the same faculties, should also be equal one amongst another without subordination or subjection unless the lord and master of them all should, by any manifest declaration of his will, set one above another, and confer on him, by an evident and clear appointment, an undoubted right to dominion and sovereignty. . . . Sec. 6. . . . The state of Nature has a law of Nature to govern it, which obliges every one, and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind . . . that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions.... Every one, as he is bound to preserve himself, and not to quit his station wilfully [sic], so by the like reason, when his own preservation comes not in competition, ought he, as much as he can, to preserve the rest of mankind, and not unless it be to do justice on an offender, take away or impair the life, or what tends to the preservation of the life, the liberty, health, limb, or goods of another. Check Your Understanding Paraphrase in the space below the first paragraph on this page what Locke says about equality. Check Your Understanding According to Locke, what could set one man above another? Source Analysis What is Locke’s claim regarding the “state of Nature” in this paragraph? Academic Vocabulary Underline the text in Sec. 6 that explains what Locke means by the “law of Nature.” reciprocal: shared or felt by both sides faculties: inherent functions; natural ability Of the Beginning of Political Societies. Sec. 95. MEN being, as has been said, by nature, all free, equal, and independent, no one can be put out of this estate, and subjected to the political power of another, without his own consent. The only way whereby any one divests himself of his natural liberty, and puts on the bonds of civil society, is by agreeing with other men to join and unite into a community for their comfortable, safe, and peaceable living one amongst another, in a secure enjoyment of their properties, and a greater security against any, that are not of it. . . . When any number of men have so consented to make one community or government, they are thereby presently incorporated, and make one body politic, wherein the majority have a right to act and conclude the rest…. Sec. 131. But though men, when they enter into society, give up the equality, liberty, and executive power they had in the state of Nature, into the hands of the society, to be so far disposed of by the legislative as the good of the society shall require, yet it being only with an intention in every one the better to preserve himself, his liberty and property (for no rational creature can be supposed to change his condition with an intention to be worse), the power of the society, or legislative constituted by them, can never be supposed to extend farther, than the common good, Source Analysis Highlight or underline the reasons Locke gives for why people agree to give up living in a state of nature and to form a political society. Check Your Understanding According to Locke, what do men give up in leaving a state of nature when they consent to be governed? What do they gain by entering into society (social contract)? Connect to Content According to Locke, what are the limits of governmental power? How are these limits reflected in the U.S. Government? but is obliged to secure every one’s property, by providing against those three defects above mentioned, that made the state of Nature so unsafe and uneasy. … by indifferent and upright judges, who are to decide controversies by those laws; and to employ the force of the community at home only in the execution of such laws, or abroad to prevent or redress foreign injuries and secure the community from inroads and invasion. And all this to be directed to no other end but the peace, safety, and public good of the people. Source Analysis Circle the details Locke provides about the responsibility a government has to the people. Of Tyranny. Sec. 199. As usurpation is the exercise of power which another hath a right to, so tyranny is the exercise of power beyond right, which nobody can have a right to; and this is making use of the power any one has in his hands, not for the good of those who are under it, but for his own private separate advantage. No one has the right to have complete power over a group of people, being a tyrant means Check Your Understanding In Sec. 199, Locke gives examples of tyranny. Use the space below the text to summarize his position in your own words. Source Analysis How does Locke’s argument about tyranny compare to Jefferson’s argument? using the power they have for their own benefit. When the governor, however intitled, makes not the law, but his will, the rule; and his commands and actions are not directed to the preservation of the properties of his people, but the satisfaction of his own ambition, revenge, covetousness, or any other irregular passion. Of the Dissolution of Government. Sec. 222. The reason why men enter into society, is the preservation of their property; and the end while they choose and authorise a legislative is that there may be laws made, and rules set, as guards and fences to the properties of all the members of the society, to limit the power, and moderate the dominion of every part and member of the society. … Source Analysis ...whenever the legislators endeavour to take away and destroy the property of the people, or to reduce them to slavery under arbitrary power, they put themselves into a state of war with the people, who are thereupon absolved from any farther obedience, and are left to the common refuge, which God hath provided for all men, against force and violence. ... by this breach of trust they forfeit the power the people had put into their hands for quite contrary ends, and it devolves to the people, who have a right to resume their original liberty, and by the establishment of a new legislative (such as they shall think fit) provide for their own safety and security, which is the end for which they are in society. Source Analysis covetousness: desire for wealth; greed Circle the text in Sec. 222 where Locke explains why men enter into society. What does Locke argue is the consequence when government threatens the rights of the people? After You Read Thinking Like a Political Scientist Reasoning Process: Describe How did John Locke define equality? What rights were all men entitled to in his state of nature? Everyone having the same rights unless told otherwise by God that someone is higher. Life, health, liberty, and possessions. What, according to Locke, are the elements of the social contract? That the government can only govern those who agree to be, the governed lose the right to equality, liberty and executive power, but By joining they gain comfortable, safe, peaceable living with a secure enjoyment of their properties Political Science Disciplinary Practices Source Analysis In the Second Treatise, how did Locke come to the conclusion that men are equal in a state of nature? By realizing that naturally no man is under the control of another Describe Locke’s reasoning regarding how governments were formed from a state of nature. Do you find his argument compelling? Explain. That government must have consent of the governed first, and once they do, they must exchange their protection for some rights of those who consent. I do not find this compelling as I have lived in a government with this philosophy all my life What evidence was most useful to the author in supporting this claim? The examples of tyranny he provided as it showed the other side of his argument Making Connections Let’s now analyze the two readings in this lesson. Use the graphic organizer below to identify and describe similar characteristics, traits, or elements between Jefferson’s argument about the purpose of government in the Declaration of Independence and Locke’s argument in the Second Treatise. Government is formed through an agreement between two people- People have right for property- Believed in separation of powers through executive and legislative branches- People can govern their own affairs and Consent of the governed Basic human rights All people are equal Democracy Citizens can overthrow government if rights are violated the welfare of their societyPeople can improve themselves through experienc According to what you read in Jefferson and Locke, how are liberty and order balanced in the social contract? They are balanced as the people have gain protection of the government and have the right to overthrow the government if their rights are violated, while the government is allowed to have some control of the people.