American Government / Unit 1 Gov 020 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Declaration of Independence
Captions available
The idea
The Declaration of Independence, adopted in 1776, announced separation from Britain and stated the natural-rights case for self-government.
In practice
The document grounds government in the consent of the governed and lists grievances against the king.
Where people slip
Announcing independence and constituting a government are different acts — the Declaration did the first.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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