The document provides background on the events leading up to American independence, including taxation acts by the British Parliament in the 1760s and 1770s that angered the colonists, key battles of the Revolutionary War in 1775, the publication of Common Sense and proposal of independence in 1776, and the ratification of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

1. Analyzing the Declaration of Independence

14. Concord Bridge

16. http://www.earlyamerica.com/shot_heard.htm

18. Thomas Paine's Common Sense published Jan. 1776

21. March 1776 – British evacuate from Boston

22. June 7, 1776 – Richard Henry Lee proposes independence

23. June 7, 1776 – Richard Henry Lee proposes independence 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.

24. June 11, 1776 – Committee of Five

25. Committee of Five members (from left to right) Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston, John Adams, and Roger Sherman.

28. July 4, 1776 Declaration of Independence ratified

29. What ‘s happening?

30. What sectors of colonial society were represented on the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence?

31. What groups were excluded?

32. What kind of issues do you think these men are talking about?

33. It's July! The windows are closed. What do you think the atmosphere is like in the room?

34. What concerns do you think these people might have as they drafted the document?

35. How do you think the King and Parliament felt about this meeting?

36. What important event is going on in the colonies other than this meeting in 1776?

39. What do you see in this image? What is the caption?

40. What symbols do you see? What does the horse represent? Who is on the horse?

41. Who is the man in the background? What is each man holding? What is the horse doing?

42. Why might the horse want to throw off the rider? What is the artist's message?

43. Was the artist a Loyalist or Patriot? Why do you think that? How does it relate to the Declaration?

44. Concord Hymn by Ralph Waldo Emerson By the rude bridge that arched the flood, Their flag to April's breeze unfurled, Here once the embattled farmers stood, And fired the shot heard round the world. The foe long since in silence slept; Alike the conqueror silent sleeps; And Time, the ruined bridge has swept Down the dark stream which seaward creeps .

45. Concord Hymn by Ralph Waldo Emerson On this green bank, by this soft stream, We set today a votive stone; That memory may their deed redeem, When, like our sires, our sons are gone . The Holy Spirit, made those heroes dare to die, and leave their children free, Bid Time and Nature gently spare The shaft we raise to them and Thee.