Research
What led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence?
During the 1700s, the British Parliament passed several lawsthat limited the freedoms of many English colonists in America by enforcing excessive taxes on them. Examples include: Sugar Act, Stamp Act (a tax on all paper products) and the Townshend Act (taxes on glass, paint, oil, lead, paper, and tea). The colonists responded to the tax on tea with the Boston Tea Party during which the colonists famously dumped the tea into the harbor protesting both the tax on tea and the establishment of the East India Company's potential monopoly on colonial trade. Both were viewed as threats to colonial freedom. 3
The British response was to enact a series of punitivelaws called the Intolerable Acts. The first act closed the port of Boston until the tea was paid for and prohibited all but coastal trade in food and firewood. 4 This was followed by other laws, which penalized the colonies. Massachusetts suffered when more power was given to the governor. The governor was appointed by the British and not elected by the colonists. The Intolerable Acts also stopped special town meetings, thus reducing the voice of the colonists within their communities. Additionally they gave authority to military commanders to seek housing in private homes. 5 All of these acts were ways for the British Parliament to increase taxes or raise revenues in the colonies. They also limited the self-governing powers of the colonists because they didn't have any parliamentary representation to stop it.
In 1774, the first Continental Congress was established in Philadelphia. The Congress was established in response to the Intolerable Acts. Their goals were to:
1. Define American grievances and notify the King of them
2. To develop a plan for resistance
2. Begin an economic boycott of Britain 6
However, the king did not respond to the grievances. This led to more resistance within the colonies.
Thomas Paine committed another important act of rebellion when he penned the pamphlet, "Common Sense," in which he boldly rejected monarchy and instead supported a government by the people without a king. Paine advocated for a republic. Common Sense was written in the everyday language of the people and used a lot of biblical references, which the people could relate to. It was the most widely distributed political publication of its time. 7
After the second meeting of the Continental Congress and the King ignoring a second letter, the colonists felt that they needed independence. Rebellion was the only choice the colonists felt they had left because of the King ignoring their grievances.
On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced a resolution which was seconded by John Adams of Massachusetts:"that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved of 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." 8 Carl Becker, professor of history at Cornell University, refers to this as "The Resolution of Independence." He believes that Lee's work was the first Declaration of Independence. 9
Lee's resolution resulted in Congress forming a committee composed of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston of New York, and Roger Sherman of Connecticutto draft an official Declaration of Independence. 1 0
The Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson submitted the first draft of the Declaration on June 28, 1776. Four days later the delegates officially voted for independence. Finally, on July 4, after two days of debating the wording, it was finally adopted. 1 1
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. 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. 1 2
The Declaration is a document in which the thirteen colonies detail specific grievances against Great Britain and explain their justifications for doing so.Becker contends, "the primary purpose of the Declaration was not to declare independence, but to proclaim to the world the reasons for declaring independence. It was intended as a formal justification of an act already accomplished." 1 3 He continues by adding that it gave the colonist moral and legal reason to rebel against the king.For the delegates to adopt the Declaration, they were committing a form of treason against the King.They could not foresee the future, and any disobedience to the King could be punished by death.Becker states that the framers, "weren't writing history, but making it." 1 4 This bravery is respected and remembered every Fourth of July.
The Declaration of Independence proclaims that all men have equal rights regardless of birth, wealth, or status. It states that the government is the servant of the people. Whenever a government becomes destructive, it is the right of the people to abolish it and to institute a new one. It asserts that the colonies are free and independent states and therefore can do what independent states want to do. They can declare war or conclude peace.
Robert J. Reinstein, Dean and Professor at Temple University School of Law, says that the Declaration of Independence is rarely referenced in Supreme Court decisions and its influence on constitutional interpretation has been minor. 1 5 He acknowledges that the Declaration expresses our nation's greatest ideals. He states that the movements to end slavery and secure civil rights were a result of these American ideals. He references two of America's most inspired speeches (Lincoln's Gettysburg address and Martin Luther King's, I Have a Dream speech at the Lincoln Memorial)as fueled by the Declaration of Independence. He cites Brown vs. the Board of Education as a morally correct decision but contends that it wasn't based on constitutional law. That decision was based more on the rhetoric of the Declaration of Independence. He puts forth that the writers of the Constitution did not include the principles of the Declaration because of "mere rhetoric" but because its inclusion would have risked the existence of slavery. However, Reinstein goes on to say that the Declaration of Independence is the foundation for Article 1 of the Fourteenth Amendment, 1 6 which states that anyone born in the United States is a citizen. It also states that no state can "deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." 1 7
The Declaration of Independence laid the foundation for the Constitution. It gave people born free or not, hope that people do have basic human rights provided for by the "Creator" and that government can be changed as long as it is doing the right thing for the people. The Declaration states that,
…mankind is more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. 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. 1 8
These words over time have provided hope to everyday Americans that during periods of suffering and injustice things can change. Many Americans take a stand against injustice and some become famous for it. Those people are referred to in the unit as Freedom Fighters.
Hope for All Americans: Freedom Fighters
Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have A Dream"
Martin Luther King Jr. valued education. He grew up attending segregated public schools in Georgia. He graduated from High School at the age fifteen and received his BA from Morehouse College, a traditionally black college in Atlanta. He also received a BD from Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania and became president of his predominately white senior class. He received his doctorate at Boston University. 1 9
By 1954, King became pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. He also served on the executive committee for the NAACP. By 1955 he became a leader in the "first great Negro nonviolent demonstration of contemporary times in the United States" otherwise known as the Montgomery bus boycott. This lasted 382 days and resulted in the Supreme Court declaring segregation on buses as unconstitutional. King emerged from this as an honorable African American leader who passionately and peacefully fought for equality for all. King fueled the Civil Rights Movement. 2 0
Before the "I Have a Dream" speech, King wrote numerous articles, gave over twenty-five hundred speeches and led a massive protest in Birmingham, Alabama. While in Birmingham, an injunction was issued forbidding demonstrations. Dr. King and others were arrested. 2 1 That is when he wrote "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" which became known as a "manifesto" for an African American revolution. 2 2 The letter inspired him and others to register African Americans to vote and it paved the way for the March on Washington, where he gave the infamous "I Have a Dream" speech.
This speech used words from the Declaration of Independence to create his timeless oratory. It inspired and continues to inspire people of all ages and ethnicities to understand that all Americans deserve respect, and that they are entitled to liberty.
In the speech, King referred to the Declaration of Independence as a promissory note guaranteeing all men the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. He says that this promise was broken for the citizens of color. He compares the note to a bad check with "insufficient funds." 2 3 King declared in his speech, that he doesn't believe America is bankrupt. He says instead, that now is the time to cash that check. It is "a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice." He goes on to say that, "Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy." King acknowledges all of the injustices happening at the time, but offers hope: "Let us not wallow in the valley of despair. I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream." 2 4 He speaks of hope for all Americans that freedom can be theirs:
When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last, free at last. Thank God Almighty, we are free at last 2 5
Martin Luther King's life and commitment for equality inspired many people of all races. Years later, King inspired one-young- African-American man to realize equality meant that he too, could be President of the United States one day.
Barack Obama
Barack Obama's presidential campaign and election provided hope for many American minorities. It brought back the ideas from the Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal, and it reignited Martin Luther King Jr.'s inspired words which state that when united, all Americans can overcome inequality. They can find security in the words "justice for all". During the 2004 Democratic Convention, Obama gave the keynote speech. He used those words from the Declaration of Independence to inspire the Democratic Party, and any other Americans listening:
"Our pride is based on a very simple premise, summed up in a declaration made over two hundred years ago." He goes on to quote the declaration's honored words about "inalienable rights" and that "all men are created equal." 2 6 He commented further by saying:
That is the true genius of America, a faith in the simple dreams of its people, the insistence on small miracles; that we can tuck in our children at night and know that they are fed and clothed and safe from harm; that we can say what we think, and write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door. We can have ideas, and start our own businesses without paying a bribe, or being forced to hire somebody's son. We can participate in the political process without fear of retribution, and also that our votes will be counted. 2 7
Americans will always debate whether or not Obama was a good president, but one thing most people will agree to is that he inspired many Americans, who traditionally had not voted in the past, to vote in 2008. He inspired all Americans that regardless of skin tone, Americans who work hard and who are dedicated can achieve a Harvard Law degree, a place on the senate floor, and even the Presidency of the United States. Yet, before Obama, there was another man who came from humble beginnings who used his leadership to inspire many people.
Cesar Chavez
Cesar Chavez was born in Arizona to parents who had migrated from Mexico. His primary language was Spanish, and he grew up with the culture and traditions his parents valued from Mexico. He experienced a lot of racism as a child when he was continually punished for speaking Spanish in school and also teased for his Mexican heritage. His family relocated to California during the Depression to work in the fields of California. 2 8
Cesar Chavez did not have an advanced degree. In fact he dropped out of school in eighth grade. He did not fit the profile of a leader. Yet he led migrant farm workers from oppression and deplorable working conditions into unionized workers deserving of a fair wage. In 1952, Chavez learned how to become an organizer through his work with Community Service Organization, which was established for poor immigrants to make demands on the political system through voter registration, citizenship classes and legislative campaigns. Chavez mainly helped with voter registration. 2 9
Chavez believed in democracy and the right of the people to make changes in government. The Declaration of Independence says that "governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes…but when a long train of abuses and usurpations…it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government." 3 0 Chavez experienced a great injustice in America. He inspired a population of new Americans to demand greater equality. "We are tired of words, of betrayals, of indifference…the days are gone when the farm worker said nothing and did nothing to help himself…Now we have new faith. Through our strong will, our movement is changing these conditions…We shall be heard." 3 1
In the style of Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi, Chavez used non-violence to make this change. "Non-violence is not inaction. It is not discussion. It is not for the timid or weak... Non-violence is hard work. It is the willingness to sacrifice. It is the patience to win." 3 2
Chavez believed that all men are created equal and that it is the unalienable right of all who work and live in America regardless of skin tone to exercise that freedom. The United Farm Workers, led by Chavez were fundamental to this. Under Chavez's leadership, hope for equality from a disfranchised group of Americans inspired by the immortal words of the Declaration of Independence became a reality. But men were not the only ones who stood up for equality and justice. There were women too.
Jane Addams
Jane Addams graduated at the top of her class in 1881 from Rockford Female Seminary. Her dad, an Illinois state legislator, inspired her interest to speak up for people's rights. However, his death and her own health problems prevented her from continuing with graduate school in medicine. As a result, Addams decided to travel to Europe with her college roommate, Ellen Star. While in London, she visited Toynbee Hall, a settlement house in the poor end of town. During that trip she and Ellen decided to open a house similar to the English one in a low-income area of Chicago. In 1889 they named their settlement home "Hull House" (after the builder Charles Hull) and in a short amount of time it became a place for over 2000 people per week to receive free childcare, counseling, help for the sick, and educational classes. 3 3
Addams became a major fighter for the injustices she saw in the world. Disturbed by the accumulation of wealth in the upper classes, and poverty in the lower classes, she recognized the inequalities in American society within her own community. 3 4
Jane Addams was a proud American. She grew up in a home where her father believed in government and, as a legislator, fought to create and amend laws for the good of society. She believed that common people could make change in America. She spoke about her love for Abraham Lincoln in her book "Twenty years at Hull House" and how that related to the pride she felt for her American heritage. 3 5 Jane Addams took the words from the Declaration, which state that as Americans we have an "…unalienable right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" to heart. Addams was passionate about the role of women. She was a feminist before feminism was popular. 3 6 Addams, in her pursuit of happiness, passionately believed that women should not only have dreams but have the ability to achieve them. She also felt that war should never exist. 3 7 Her actions spoke louder than her words.
Addams provided a public house which was also her home. That was Hull House. Over time she accumulated more space to allow people from all over to receive the services they needed to better their life. She fought for freedom and equality for Chicago's poorest people. She believed that education was essential to getting out of poverty so she offered classes. She felt that neighbors should help neighbors so she provided free childcare for neighbors by people who lived in the community. Addams also used volunteers to take care of the sick, and to counsel people. She encouraged wealthy members of society to contribute money and time to the settlement house. The organizations that she started attempted to "equalize the inequality between people and educate them on things they had in common as well as the qualities that made them unique." 3 8 The result of her work meant that other community groups began to emerge and people who saw themselves as destitute began to see themselves attaining happiness. The Declaration of Independence guarantees that hope for all Americans.
King, Obama, Chavez, and Addams were freedom fighters. They used the words from the Declaration of Independence and turned them into a belief. That belief in the guarantees provided by the words in the Declaration provided them hope as they identified injustices in America. Obama pursued his happiness by starting from humble beginnings and becoming the first African-American President of the United States. That is how he fought for freedom. King, Chavez and Addams used their belief in the Declaration to never give up in their fight to save a marginalized group in society. Americans need to know that those words and the meaning behind them apply to them too. Students need to learn about the Declaration of Independence and realize that it applies just as much today as it did when our nation was first created. This unit, written for second graders, will do that.
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