Flashcards for The Declaration of Independence

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was one of the five members of the Committee of Five, chosen by the Second Continental Congress to draft a formal declaration of independence from Britain.

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John Adams

John Adams was a key advocate for American independence in the Continental Congress.

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King George III

King George III is not a speaking participant but serves as the main antagonist of the Declaration of Independence—the sovereign specifically named in the accusations.

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Robert R. Livingston

Robert R. Livingston was one of the five members of the Committee of Five appointed by the Second Continental Congress to draft what would become the Declaration of Independence.

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Roger Sherman

Roger Sherman from Connecticut was one of five members of the Committee of Five selected by the Second Continental Congress in June 1776 to draft a formal declaration of independence from Britain.

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The American People (Colonists)

The American People, or Colonists, are both the subject and the audience of the Declaration of Independence, serving as its moral authority.

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The British Parliament

The British Parliament is portrayed in the Declaration of Independence not as an active character but as a named institutional opponent, with its legislative actions contributing significantly to the colonial grievances.

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Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson is the main author and intellectual force behind the Declaration of Independence (1776).

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“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

This key line is found in the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence (1776), mainly written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Second Continental Congress.

Thomas Jefferson / Second Continental Congress · Preamble / Second Paragraph

“He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.”

This line is part of the list of complaints against King George III in the Declaration of Independence (1776), mainly written by Thomas Jefferson with input from Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and the Continental Congress.

Thomas Jefferson / The Continental Congress

“But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government.”

This passage is found in the preamble of the Declaration of Independence (1776), which was mainly drafted by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.

The Continental Congress (drafted by Thomas Jefferson) · Preamble

“He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.”

This grievance is found in the Declaration of Independence (1776), which was mainly drafted by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Second Continental Congress.

The Representatives of the United States of America (Thomas Jefferson, primary drafter)

“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.”

This might be the most famous sentence in American political history, found in the preamble of the Declaration of Independence, which the Second Continental Congress adopted on July 4, 1776.

The Continental Congress (primary drafter: Thomas Jefferson) · Preamble

“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

This powerful sentence is the closing pledge of the Declaration of Independence, which the Second Continental Congress adopted on July 4, 1776.

The 56 Delegates of the Second Continental Congress (principal drafter: Thomas Jefferson) · Final paragraph of the Declaration of Independence (adopted July 4, 1776)

“That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government.”

This line is found in the body of the Declaration of Independence (1776), mainly written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Second Continental Congress.

Thomas Jefferson / The Second Continental Congress · Preamble / Philosophical Argument Section

“Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes.”

This line is found in the preamble of the Declaration of Independence (1776), which Thomas Jefferson primarily drafted, with revisions from Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and the Continental Congress.

Thomas Jefferson (on behalf of the Continental Congress) · Preamble

“We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States.”

This climactic sentence is found in the last paragraph of the Declaration of Independence (1776), mainly written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.

The Representatives of the united States of America (Second Continental Congress) · Conclusion / Resolution Clause

Self-Evident Truths

In the Declaration of Independence, "self-evident truths" represent the core principles that any legitimate government should be built upon.

The Consent of the Governed

In the Declaration of Independence, "the consent of the governed" is a key symbol of legitimate political authority.

The King as Tyrant

In the Declaration of Independence, King George III is portrayed as a tyrant, representing the deep corruption that comes with unchecked political power and serving as a clear justification for revolution.

The Pursuit of Happiness

In the Declaration of Independence, "the pursuit of happiness" is one of the three fundamental rights that everyone is born with, given to us by our Creator.

The Thirteen Colonies

In the Declaration of Independence, the Thirteen Colonies represent the birth of a new political identity and the rightful sovereignty of a self-governing people.

Anaphora

The Declaration's most impactful rhetorical device is anaphora — the persistent repetition of an opening phrase throughout successive clauses.

Parallelism

Jefferson builds the philosophical foundation of the Declaration using strict grammatical parallelism: 'Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness' features three noun phrases that are perfectly balanced, suggesting these rights are co-equal and inseparable.

Allusion

Jefferson's reference to 'the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God' draws heavily from Enlightenment natural-law philosophy, especially John Locke's Second Treatise of Government, which bases legitimate government on the right to 'life, liberty, and estate.'

Metaphor

Jefferson employs metaphor during the document's most emotionally intense moments.

Irony

A striking irony runs through the Declaration: its famous assertion that "all men are created equal" was penned by a slaveholder and endorsed by a Congress that actively upheld slavery.

Personification

Abstract political concepts are often given human traits to make them seem morally responsible.

Asyndeton

Jefferson often omits conjunctions from lists, creating a sense of relentless buildup.

Rhetorical Question

Though Jefferson seldom asks direct questions, the entire preamble acts as a lengthy implied rhetorical question: given the self-evident truths about human equality and the government's role, what reasonable conclusion can anyone draw other than that the colonists are justified?

Polysyndeton

Whereas asyndeton speeds up the pace, the use of polysyndeton in the Declaration conveys a sense of exhaustive, almost tiring completeness.

Extended Metaphor

The Declaration uses a detailed legal-trial metaphor throughout.

Alliteration

Jefferson uses alliteration in a way that’s both subtle and impactful, helping to create memorable phrases.

Juxtaposition

Jefferson uses juxtaposition to highlight the stark moral difference between the colonists' reasonableness and the Crown's tyranny.

dissolve

To formally and permanently break apart or end a political connection or bond between two groups, so that the relationship no longer exists in any legal or official sense.

verb · Chapter 1

political bands

The formal ties of loyalty, law, and governance that bind one people or nation to another, treated here as restraints that can be cut.

phrase · Chapter 1

self-evident

So obviously true that no argument or proof is needed; any reasonable person can see it immediately without being persuaded.

adjective · Chapter 1

endowed

Given or provided with something as a natural or permanent gift, especially by God or nature, rather than by any human authority.

verb · Chapter 1

unalienable

Impossible to take away, sell, or transfer to anyone else; describing rights that belong to a person permanently and cannot be removed by any government or law.

adjective · Chapter 1

instituted

Formally set up or established, used here to describe how governments are created and put into place by and for the people.

verb · Chapter 1

deriving

Obtaining or drawing something from a particular source; here, governments get their authority from the agreement and approval of the people they rule.

verb · Chapter 1

consent of the governed

The agreement and approval of the people being ruled, which is presented here as the only legitimate source of a government's power and authority.

phrase · Chapter 1

usurpations

Acts of seizing power, rights, or authority that do not rightfully belong to you, especially a ruler taking control that the law or the people never granted.

noun · Chapter 2

invariably

Always, without any exception; used here to show that the pattern of abuses never once changed direction or purpose.

adverb · Chapter 2

evinces

Clearly shows or proves something; here it means the repeated pattern of abuses is solid evidence of a deliberate plan.

verb · Chapter 2

Despotism

A system of government in which a single ruler holds total, unlimited power and uses it cruelly and unjustly, with no regard for the rights or wishes of the people.

noun · Chapter 2

Assent

Official approval or agreement, especially a ruler's formal act of signing or agreeing to a law so that it can take effect.

noun · Chapter 3

wholesome

Beneficial and good for the health or well-being of the community; here describing laws that would have helped and protected the colonists.

adjective · Chapter 3

plundered

Violently robbed and looted, taking goods and resources by force, especially during a military attack or raid.

verb · Chapter 3

ravaged

Caused severe and widespread destruction to a place, leaving it damaged or ruined, typically through military violence.

verb · Chapter 3

Oppressions

Prolonged, unjust acts of harsh control or cruelty by those in power that burden and harm the people who are ruled over.

noun · Chapter 3

Petitioned

Made a formal, written request to someone in authority, asking them to correct a wrong or grant a right.

verb · Chapter 3

Redress

A remedy or correction for a wrong that has been done; the act of setting things right after an injustice or harm.

noun · Chapter 3

Absolved

Formally and completely released or freed from an obligation, duty, or allegiance, so that no further loyalty or obedience is owed.

verb · Chapter 4

Allegiance

Loyalty and duty owed to a ruler, government, or nation, especially the obligation of a subject to obey and support their sovereign.

noun · Chapter 4

levy

To officially raise or call up something by authority, such as an army or a tax; here used to mean the power to formally declare and wage war.

verb · Chapter 4

contract Alliances

To formally enter into official agreements of mutual support and cooperation with other nations, as independent states are entitled to do.

phrase · Chapter 4

Commerce

The large-scale buying and selling of goods between nations or regions; trade conducted at a governmental or international level.

noun · Chapter 4

divine Providence

The guiding care and protection of God over human affairs; the belief that God watches over and directs events in the world.

phrase · Chapter 4

mutually pledge

To make a solemn promise together, with each person committing to the others equally, sharing the same oath and its consequences.

phrase · Chapter 4