Writing the Declaration

Explain who wrote it (Jefferson, with Adams, Franklin, and others), how, why it was necessary, and how it answered tyranny.

Warm-up, learn, try it together, practice, then a quick check. About 15 minutes.

What children learn in Level 20

By 1776, the war had gone on for a year. Colonial leaders met in Philadelphia as the Continental Congress, and they had to decide: were they still British, or a new nation?
Congress chose five people to write a declaration. Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, age 33, wrote the first draft, and John Adams and Benjamin Franklin suggested changes.
Why was it necessary? To tell the world why the colonies were breaking away, and to win friends like France.
It was an answer to tyranny, which means cruel and unfair use of power. It lists the king's wrongs: taxes without consent, soldiers in peacetime, and ignoring the colonists' laws.
Congress changed it too. It cut Jefferson's words blaming the king for the slave trade, partly because of objections from Georgia and South Carolina. On July 4, 1776, Congress adopted it. Three Georgians signed: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, and George Walton.

Georgia Standards of Excellence in Social Studies:

SS4H1.d — Explain the writing of the Declaration of Independence; include who wrote it, how it was written, why it was necessary, and how it was a response to tyranny and the abuse of power.
SS4H1.b — Describe the influence of key individuals and groups during the American Revolution: King George III, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Benedict Arnold, Patrick Henry, John Adams, Paul Revere, and Black regiments.