THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE – TRANSLATION ACTIVITY Directions: From the Translation Choices provided on the back, write the letter of the correct translation in the small box, then note key words from the translation itself in the rest of the space provided.
INTRODUCTION
QUOTE FROM “DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE” 1. When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another and to assume, among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. 2. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
3. (a) To secure these [basic] rights, governments are instituted among men,… BASIC RIGHTS
TRANSLATION OF QUOTE
(b) …deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed… 4. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive [in protecting rights and responding to the people], it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new government. 5. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having, in direct object, the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these States.
Concept:
Concept:
Concept:
To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world:
Concept:
6. He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly for opposing his invasions on the rights of the people. WRONGS DONE BY THE KING
COLONIAL CONTEXT:
7. For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world;
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Concept:
COLONIAL CONTEXT:
8. For imposing taxes without our consent; Concept:
COLONIAL CONTEXT:
9. In every state of these oppressions, we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms; our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
COLONIAL CONTEXT:
CONCL: INDEP!
10. We, therefore, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states…
TRANSLATION CHOICES a. England’s King has repeatedly denied colonists’ rights, thus ruling unfairly. b. Individuals have basic rights that are obvious and should not be taken away – like freedom for example. c. We are now an independent country. d. When a group of people breaks away from a country to form its own nation, they should explain why they are doing it. e. When a government takes away people’s rights & doesn’t listen to the people, the people have the right to change or replace that government. f.
When we wrote the king to say we’ve been treated unfairly, he treated us more unfairly. A ruler who abuses his power should not rule us!
g. Governments are formed to protect people’s rights. h. The king would not let us trade with other countries. i.
The king shut down our assemblies (our only voice in gov’t) as punishment for disagreeing with the laws.
j.
The king taxed the colonies without allowing their voice in making those tax laws.
k. Government power comes from the people.
