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The
Declaration of Independence:
Events Leading to Declaration of Independence |
"Yesterday the greatest question was
decided...and a greater question perhaps never was nor will be decided among
men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, that these
United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states."
-- John Adams, Letter to his wife, Abigail Adams, July 3, 1776 |
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Introduction |
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Welcome to the Constitutional Literacy
curriculum modules, courtesy of BasicsProject.org. The curriculum is broken
into sections, The Declaration of Independence; Articles of Confederation;
Constitutional Convention; The Ratification Debate; US Constitution; Bill of Rights; and Amendments
to the US Constitution. In addition to these initial modules, there are
plans to develop modules on Economic Literacy and Our British Origins.
You Have Navigated to The Declaration of
Independence Curriculum
Prior to beginning this module, you should keep in mind that the people who
lived in the colonies were British citizens, loyal to their king. For many
years, the colonies prospered under the protection of the British Empire. It
was only when the interests of British subjects located in the colonies
appeared subordinate to Britain that a rift developed between the colonies
and the mother country. The people living in the colonies experienced a
great deal of independence due to their living so far away from Britain.
When the King and Parliament decided to exert their authority over the
colonies, people began to question whether it was worth remaining part of
the British Empire. They questioned the origin of sovereignty and whether
the King and Parliament were acting within their authority. Ultimately, the
colonies would declare their independence from Britain based on a uniquely
American philosophy of government. To read more about the American Colonies
as part of the British Empire, click here:
America and the British Empire
Should you have any questions as you navigate the modules, please feel free
to send your questions by
clicking here.
Welcome to BasicsProject.org's Constitutional Literacy
Curriculum Initiative: The Declaration of Independence Module
Part 1: The Precursors
Part 2: Supporters and
Loyalists
Part 3: The
Revolutionary War Erupts
Part 4: Further
Examination of why Congress Blamed Parliament and the King's Ministers for
the Conflict
Part 5: Conflicting
Theories About the Origin and Nature of American Freedom
Part 6: Support for
Revolution Increases with King's Defiance
Part 7: An American
Political Philosophy
Part 8: An Analysis of
the Declaration of Independence |
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