Understanding the Declaration of IndependenceThe Declaration of Independence became the cornerstone document of our democratic nation. But why was it written? What influenced its author, Thomas Jefferson, and what made it so revolutionary? Discover how this document shaped the foundation of a nation, and how it continues to influence American government today. |
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American appeal Benjamin Franklin Britain British monarchy causes which impel Chapter citizens Coercive Acts colonial legislatures colonial trade colonists Common Sense constitution copies decent Respect Declaration of Independence Declaration of Rights declaration’s declare the causes delegates drafted the Declaration drafting committee duties eighteenth century English established European felt Final Document FREE AND INDEPENDENT freedom French and Indian George Mason George Wythe House of Burgesses human events ideas inspired Jefferson Drafts Jefferson wrote Jefferson’s Story John Adams John Locke King George King George III land Laws of Nature Lee’s liberty Locke’s Mankind requires Massachusetts molasses mother country National Archives natural right Nature’s God entitle Navigation Act Olive Branch Petition Opinions of Mankind Parliament passed Plymouth Political Bands popular protested pursuit of happiness revised Revolution Richard Henry Lee Second Continental Congress Separatists settlement ships slavery smuggling Stamp Act Thomas Jefferson Thomas Paine troops Virginia Declaration William World writing York