The birth of Independence is unique, not only in the immensity of its later impact on the course of world history and the growth of democracy, but also because so many of the threads in our national history run back through time to come together in one place, in one time, and in one document: the Declaration of Independence. ... In June of 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence in Congressionally imposed secrecy. ... Also on display are fragments of a "Dunlap Broadside," one of twenty-four surviving copies of the first printing of the Declaration o...

• Word Count: 884
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

It influenced the Declaration of Independence and the Declaration of the rights of man and of the Citizen. ... These rights are the basis that Thomas Jefferson made for our Declaration of Independence. ... It starts with a problem or question beginning with an observation. ... It also influenced new Declarations, and Documents. It influenced The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, and The Declaration of Independence. ...

• Word Count: 698
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Richard Henry Lee Signer of the Declaration of Independence RICHARD HENRY LEE was born in Virginia on January 20, 1732. ... At the Second Congress he was determined more than ever to seek total independence from England. ... The task of urging Congress to once and for all address the question of independence was accepted by the Virginia delegation and in turn, by Lee, its senior member. ... In the wake of those words, the Declaration of Independence became a reality. ... He was also vigorous in arguing for independence and introduced the motion that led to the Declaration of Independence...

• Word Count: 1313
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

As rage for Britain grew inside the colonies, independence started to seem more and more like the only option. ... Following the natural rights ideas of John Locke, Paine pushed for complete independence from Britain. ... "Common Sense" quickly became the inspiration behind the revolution, and some even say it was a precursor to the declaration. ... Paine also concludes that the colonies will at some point will be removed from British rule, but the question is simply when. ... When Britain started placing unfair restrictions and taxes on colonists, the sense of independence grew drastically...

• Word Count: 1669
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

He once said "I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states. ... This question is touched upon by Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence. In this declaration Jefferson said, "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.... The question arises, why leave so many troops in America if the war was over? ...

• Word Count: 1713
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School