Anne Elizabeth Murphy
Drop-in #1

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

Introduction:

        In 1776, the men who are now known as our founding fathers met beyond closed doors to discuss what should be the next step taken in negotiating with King George III.  These discussions were not open to the public because the sensitivity of the issues discussed.  Secrecy was of the utmost importance because these men could be arrested and tried for treason if discovered.  Information was made public after the fact, for that very reason.  As we discussed in class, The Federalist Papers (published by Hamilton, Jay and Madison) were the primary means of the release of information. The Declaration of Independence argued that King George III and Parliament had ignored the colonists' natural rights and due to that, the colonists were breaking free from England's rule.  

Assignment:

        It is the summer of 1776 and you are a reporter for The Pennsylvania Packet.  Your assignment is to investigate the latest document that the Continental Congress has released, The Declaration of Independence , and write an article.  Read the summary and introduction before reading the document.  Make sure that your article answers the following questions:

    1.  Who were the members of the committee to write the Declaration of Independence?
     2.  Who was the chief writer of the DOI?
     3.  What major issue was omitted from the DOI?
     

4.  Why do you believe that issue was not included?  
    5.   Do you think if it would have been included, American History would be different?  How so?




The above is the link to the summary.

 The link to the DOI