Dec. Of Independence Flashcards
(28 cards)
Declaration of Independence
Draft a document to declare independence
Dec of Independence committee
Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Ben Franklin, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingstone
Who was the main writer for the D.O.I. And where’s he from?
Thomas Jefferson
From Virginia
When was the Dec of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
What was the reason for the dec?
To inform colonists of the actions against them by the crown
Inform foreign countries of the rightness of their cause
Inform them that there was no other recourse
Four main parts of Declaration
Preamble, Dec of Rights, Bill of Indictment, and Statement of Independence
Four references to God
Natures God, Creator, Supreme Judge of the World, Divine Providence
Self Evident truths
“All men are created equal”
Created in the image of God
Created with a sin nature
Endowed with unalienable rights
What did the Rights echo
John Locke’s view of natural rights
What are the three Rights
Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness
Who secures the Rights?
Governments
What can the people do about the Rights?
They can alter/ abolish them by:
voting it out of office
Open rebellion
Institute a new gov
Four principles common to all state constitutions
Limited gov Pop sovereignty Bill of Rights Separation of powers Each establish republics
Limited gov
Gov has power by constitution
Pop Sovereignty
Consent of governed
Separation of powers
Three branches Legislative Executive Judicial They can check each others' power
Legislative branch
Makes law
Executive
Enforces law
Judicial
Interprets law
Articles of Confederation
Governing doc during War for Independence
Approved in 1777
Established a Confederation
Written by John Dickinson
Who ratified the A.O.C.
Maryland in 1791 after the dispute over the western lands was settled
11 states ratified it
What was its Confederation
Weak central gov
Strong state gov
Weaknesses
No enforcement of laws No executive branch No raising of army No taxing Only one vote Nine states approval No authority in Int. Commerce
Success under Articles
Win a war
Negotiated peace with England
Passed NW Ordinance
