The Declaration of Independence 8-2.

3


The events surrounding the American Revolution changed British colonists into American
citizens. You should be able to explain the roles of South Carolinians in writing and signing the
Declaration of Independence.
At the Second Continental Congress, wealthy Lowcountry planters represented South Carolina.
Thomas Lynch, Thomas Heyward, Edward Rutledge, and Arthur Middleton represented the
state and signed the Declaration of Independence. Each of them went on to serve in the militia
during the Revolutionary War and served in the government after the war, thereby helping to
win independence and establish the new country.

1. In your own words, describe
the people in the picture to the
left. What groups do you feel
have been left out?
Signers of the Declaration of Independence.
2010. Wikimedia.org. Web. 16 June 2014.
Declaration of Independence. 1997. Unifiedpatriots.com. Web.

Based on the ideas of John Locke, the Declaration of Independence spoke of equality and the
natural rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The declaration claimed that the
role of government is to protect those rights and that the people have the right to change
governments if rights are not being protected. The declaration then listed ways the King had
violated the rights of Americans, helping to break the bonds between the King and the
colonists, unifying the Americans.

2. In your opinion, why was it important that the founding fathers to include John Lockes
ideas in the Declaration of Independence?
John Locke. 2004. Spaceandmotion.com. Web. 17 June 2014.