Step 5: When and why was it written? Understand the context of the document.

The head of the British Empire was the King of England. In 1776, this was King George III (1738-1820). He had been king since 1760 and was responsible for all the laws that governed the empire (and, consequently, the quality of life of his subjects). In England itself, the citizens (only those who were free males with property) had some say (representation) in the laws (such as taxes) but most of the power was in the hands of the King. He could, for example, on his own decide what laws applied in the Colonies.

At the time, the colonists were upset with many of the laws that the British King forced on them and the way in which the laws were determined. They were so upset that they decided to declare their independence from England and to establish a new country. This was the first time in modern human history that people voluntarily came together to form a new nation based on law.

Step 6: For whom was it written? Understand the intended audience for the document.

The immediate audience for the declaration was King George. However, the colonists were writing for the world and for the future. They knew that what they were doing was new and different (called 'revolutionary') and they wanted to be sure that the entire world understood the reasons for their actions. Thus, the declaration states the general theory governing their actions and enumerates (lists) the specific reasons that caused the colonists to behave this way. The declaration was designed to convince anyone who reads it that the colonists were in the right (that their actions were justified).

Step 7: Read the document, sentence by sentence. We will do this together!

Step 8: Think about the meaning of each phrase and the complete idea that the sentence is expressing.

I have annotated the text (included notes) and explained many of the references and vocabulary.

One of the good things about reading is that you can go back, again and again, to make sure that you understand. Do not be afraid to read this document several times.

Step 10: Take notes that address (relate to) 'why' you are reading this.

Or, in this case, make sure that you understand both the theory of reading and the content itself. (Please note that it is not necessary to understand all of the charges in the long list in the middle of the document.)

You should, however, take notes about words that are new to you (so that you can begin to own them) and phrases that are pointed out to be symbolic in American Culture.