Protecting Their Way of Life

Protecting Their Way of Life

Freedom | How did the colonists save their freedom?

The British saw the Boston Tea Party as an act of treason, which meant turning their back on a person’s country. They responded by removing the Massachusetts Bay Colony’s right to rule itself, which threatened a complete change to their way of life and the other colonies as well.

The Declaration of Independence was just that – a statement. An announcement. A decision, in writing, that the colonies would no longer be ruled by England. This was a defining moment in American history that would eventually lead to war.

War broke out on April 19, 1775, at the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The colonists forced the British soldiers out of the countryside and back into Boston. But, approximately two months later, fighting broke out between the British and colonists in Boston. Known as the Battle of Bunker Hill, the British defeated the colonists but lost many of their soldiers.

General Washington arrived in Boston to take command and organize the Continental Army. Months later, in March 1776, the Continental Army surrounded the British Army in Boston – known as the Siege of Boston – and forced them to go back by the sea.

After a year of the 13 Colonies being at war with Britain, they were ready to declare their independence to protect their rights.

It was not enough to simply declare one’s independence – it would have to be fought for through war with the British. If that war was lost, these men would surely all be killed or, at best, put into prison. The colonists argued that the British King, George III, was a tyrant, a name for a harsh and cruel ruler. They felt this way because he did not respect the colonists’ rights, nor had he approved the necessary laws.

The 13 Colonies, on July 4, 1776, declared that they were free and independent states. We think of this date as the birthday of America. It was a brave decision to sign the Declaration of Independence.

The Declaration of Independence is the official document the colonies used to declare their freedom from the British Parliament and provides us with four key ideals — equality, unalienable rights, consent of the governed, and the right to alter or abolish government. These ideals have served as the basis of our American government ever since.

The Four Ideals.

Ideal #1: Equality,

• The Declaration of Independence states: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
• The statement that all men are created equal is the belief that all people are born free and equal – that God has created all people equally.
• How does this definition of equality compare with what you wrote in your warm-up?

Ideal #2: Unalienable Rights

• The Declaration of Independence states: “That they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
• Unalienable rights, also known as natural rights, are rights that are not granted by laws or by rules. Instead, they are rights given to all humans by God and cannot be taken away.

Ideal #3: Consent of the Governed

• The United States Government exists only with the consent of the governed – the American people agreeing on how the government runs and operates. In return, the government protects the rights of the people from other countries and enemies.

Ideal #4: Right to Alter or Abolish Government

• If any part of the government becomes destructive, the people have the right to change or get rid of it and make a new government.