Guide to the Declaration of Independence: Core Principles and Historical Context Study Guide
This guide breaks down the fundamental concepts of the Declaration of Independence, including unalienable rights, the consent of the governed, and the right to revolution. It examines the historical grievances listed against the British Crown and provides context for understanding its significance in political philosophy and the founding of the United States.
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Historical Perspectives on Protest and Resistance
Historical Perspectives on Protest and Revolution
Definitions of protest, civil disobedience, and revolution alongside historical analyses of conscience and law in Sophocles, Plato, and Aristotle.
- Protest
- Civil disobedience
- Revolution
- Conscientious refusal
- Divine law vs. human law
- Social contract
- Tacit consent
- Inequality and revolution
Theories of Law and Resistance
An examination of motives for resisting the state, the relationship between natural and human law, and various philosophical approaches to tyranny and civil disobedience.
- Eternal law
- Natural law
- Human law
- Divine law
- State of nature
- Social contract
- Consent of the governed
- Unalienable rights
- Tyrannicide
- Civil disobedience
- Conscientious refusal
- Self-preservation
- Costly grace
- Cheap grace
- Tacit consent
Civil Disobedience, Individual Conscience, and Government Authority
Civil Disobedience and Conscience
A philosophical argument regarding the duty of individuals to prioritize conscience over legislation and the right of revolution against an unjust government.
- civil disobedience
- conscience vs legislation
- majority rule and justice
- right of revolution
- duty of resistance
- individual vs state
- abolition of slavery
- peaceable revolution
Thoreau's Civil Disobedience and Individualism
A philosophical examination of the relationship between the individual, conscience, and the authority of the State.
- civil disobedience
- individual conscience
- authority of government
- sanction and consent of the governed
- rights of man
- justice vs. expediency
- moral duty
- social duties
- democracy
- the individual as a higher and independent power
The Dissolution of Government and Resistance
An analysis of the right of people to provide for their safety through a new legislative when legislators act contrary to their trust by invading property and liberties.
- dissolution of government
- legislative trust
- state of war
- right to resist tyranny
- law of nature
- arbitrary power
- rebellion versus resistance
- protection of property
Conditions for Forfeiting Royal Authority
A discussion on the specific cases where a king ceases to be a king and loses all power and regal authority over his people.
- loss of regal authority
- overturning the government
- divesting of crown and dignity
- transfer of kingdom to foreign dominion
- rights of the people in an interregnum
Conditions for Forfeiting Royal Authority and Government Legitimacy
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Political Philosophy and Government Theory
Ends of Political Society and Government
Explores the fundamental purposes of political society and government, including the preservation of property, lives, and liberties, and the establishment of law and impartial judgment.
- state of nature
- mutual preservation of lives, liberties and estates
- property
- established, settled, known law
- indifferent judge
- power to execute the sentence
- legislative power
- common good
- dissolution of government
Locke on the Dissolution of Government
Examines how governments dissolve through the alteration of the legislative, the abandonment of executive charge, or a breach of trust, and the people's right to resist.
- dissolution of society vs. government
- alteration of the legislative
- executive abandonment of charge
- breach of trust
- state of war
- long train of abuses
- right to resist
- government as a trust
- people as judge
Ends of Political Society and Government
Men unite into commonwealths and put themselves under government for the preservation of their property, lives, and liberties.
- state of Nature
- preservation of property
- law of Nature
- legislative power
- executive power
- commonwealth
- social contract
- political society
Thoreau Study Guide Analysis
An examination of Thoreau's views on unjust laws, civil disobedience, and the relationship between the individual and the State.
- unjust laws
- civil disobedience
- peaceable revolution
- conscientious refusal
- majority of one
- tax refusal
- individual versus the State
- government authority
The Declaration of Independence and Forfeiture of Power
Declaration of Independence Study Guide
A study guide analyzing the structure, principles, and grievances of the Declaration of Independence (1776).
- Structure of the Declaration of Independence
- Unalienable rights
- Government by consent
- Right to alter or abolish government
- Grievances against the King
- Attacks on the legislature
- Attacks on justice
- Military rule
- Taxation and property
- Foreign jurisdiction
- War and abandonment
- Lockean principles of tyranny
- Petitions for redress
- Justification of armed revolution
The Declaration of Independence
A declaration of the causes which impel the thirteen united States of America to dissolve the political bands connecting them with Great Britain.
- unalienable Rights
- consent of the governed
- right to alter or abolish government
- absolute Despotism
- tyranny
- right of Representation
- Legislative powers
- Administration of Justice
- Trial by Jury
Understanding the Declaration of Independence: Rights, Consent, and Revolution
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Declaration of American Independence and Grievances
The United Colonies declare themselves Free and Independent States, absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown due to tyranny and oppression.
- Free and Independent States
- Allegiance to the British Crown
- Suspension of Legislatures
- Petition for Redress
- Dissolution of political connection
- Powers of Independent States
Forfeiture of Power and the Social Trust
A discussion on how a king forfeits the power of governing his subjects through breach of trust and alienation of his kingdom.
- forfeiture of power
- breach of trust
- public good
- preservation of property
- state of war
- legislative power
- social trust
- right of resistance
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