Excerpt from the Declaration of Independence “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—That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, 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, laying its Foundation on such Principles and organizing its Powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

Declaration of Independence, 1776
Student Handout 2: Analyzing an Excerpt from the Declaration of Independence

Ideas/Documents
Declaration of Independence

What does it say about EQUALITY

What does it say about LIFE and LIBERTY?

What does it say about PROPERTY?

What does it say about ORDER and the RIGHT OF REVOLUTION?

How does this document connect to the idea of the SOCIAL COMPACT?

What does it say about LAWS?