Declaration of Independence?

Question

Could anyone explain to me what this passage - from the Declaration of Independence - means? There are some words you may not understand so below the passage shows the definitions of some.

" The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. "

" Usurpation," means illegal seizure of power.
" In direct object, " means the goal of.
" Tyranny, " means government by an unjust ruler.

Could you best explain this passage into simple language a third grader could understand and a picture that I should draw that represents this passage. Thanks.

steddy voter, oh, I am not in third grade. I'm supposed to translate it so a third grader would understand. I'm just having a hard time getting what it means so, If I don't know what it means, I couldn't possibly make it so a third grader would know what it means,

Answer 1

Here is your text, in context, in a "modern version" of the document -- don't just copy it, but it should help you with pieces of it --

"We have seen through history that even when a government is bad, people often put up with it as long as they can instead of making changes. <> If that happens, the people must act. It is their duty to end that kind of government. Then they must create a new and better government to protect their rights in times to come.

"We have been patient, suffering a long time without complaining. Now it is our duty to make changes. <> without listening to what our American leaders have to say.
http://www.geocities.com/mrsgamhist/DeclarationofIndep.htm

Also notice the following parallel in the original --- Jefferson begins the argument by explaining why a people MIGHT be justified in rebelling... and ends it by saying the King has done just that, though slightly varying the language. Note esp. the parallels between the parts in CAPS (The equivalent sections are marked in angled brackets above (<<...>>)

"But when a LONG TRAIN OF ABUSES AND USURPATIONS, pursuing invariably the same OBJECT evinces a design TO REDUCE THEM UNDER ABSOLUTE DESPOTISM. . .

"The history of the present King of Great Britain is A HISTORY OF REPEATED INJURIES AND USURPATIONS, all having in direct OBJECT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ABSOLUTE TYRANNY. . . "

Answer 2

The people in power had, time and again, passed laws, and enforced them, that took the rights and powers of the people that had made any benefit possible in the beginning. Any profit from business, or from intellectual creations, would become the property of the state, or taxed by the state (England), and, therefore, create profit for the state, without representation of the creator of that profit.

In essence, this passage represents a call to keep the government out of our business! If we want to be free, then we will be; if we want to, and can, make a profit, then we should reap the benefits. Our Constitution, which I have sworn to uphold and defend, against all enemies foreign and domestic, for over 24 years, makes it quite clear that the 3 terms above are anathema to our way of life. We are free to be Americans.

Kurt

Answer 3

First of all, I do understand the full wording of the Declaration. Also, if you are in 3rd grade, you are not possibly old enough to be on this site. That being said, this passage that you refer to is basically saying that England was unfairly controlling the states, in ways that were unbearable. Examples of this are the heavy taxes that were imposed, the lack of representation of the States in the British government, and the abuses of power by the British army. A picture of a British soldier demanding taxes, or being quartered in a colonists' house would be good pics to draw.

Edit: Accept my apologies, I'm sorry if I misunderstood.

Answer 4

The king of England was our king before the Declaration of Independence was ratified. It was written to separate us from England because the king ruled us unjustly and forced things on us we did not want. We we taxed for things like tea and other goods but had no representation in England to stand up for what we want. So we had "the Boston Tea Party" where the colonists dressed up like indians and threw the highly taxed tea into the ocean. The Declarations is our statement to the king that we would not be treated unfairly any more!

Answer 5

Off the top of my head....

Tell the third grader to picture himself as running a lemonade stand. Let's call him Tom (for Thomas Jefferson :) ).

Say Tom's older brother (we'll call him George (for King George III) gave Tom some lemonade, a stand, a street corner -- completely helped Tom get started and gave him his "blessing" - saying that Tom could keep virtually everything he made. Tom only had to pay George back for the materials.

Then, after several weeks of this, George starts to change the rules of the arrangement. He starts to put more restrictions on Tom's lemonade stand, starts to ask for more money ("taxes"), and even starts to hire people to "keep an eye" on Tom. What's more, Tom has to pay these people that are watching over him.

This is all off the top of my head, but you get the idea.

***
Check out my blog on this topic at...

http://americanfounding.blogspot.com

Answer 6

The king has done nothing but bad things to the people in America. This is not fair to the people.

Answer 7

dude do you go to mai school.! i am so sure u do..! Loza rights? lol