The Declaration of Independence. One of the founding documents of our country. In this writing assignment, you’ll be looking at the Declaration of Independence itself as well as a traditional view and an alternative view. Answer the following 7 questions.

Directions:

-See the grading rubric to see how I grade your papers.

-Paper must be typed and must be turn in via Canvas.

-you can submit it using Google Drive via Canvas

-you can upload it as a file to Canvas

-For quotes, cite using Chicago style footnotes (see here for directions: How To)

-you must use the format from this website for your citations to be correct:

Chicago Manual of Style

-Answer the following questions in complete sentences using only the readings

-Each question must be answered separately & numbered accordingly (as opposed to an essay format)

-Hint: The point of the assignment is not merely to answer each question as quickly as possible, the point is to make you think and analyze. Therefore, one-sentence answers with very little analysis or thought will not result in a very high grade.

Declaration of Independence

Read the Declaration of Independence

https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript

1. What is your initial reaction to the document? How does it make you feel?

2. Is there anything in it that surprised you?

Traditional View

Watch these two video clips of Dr. Eric Foner talking about the Declaration. (Or you can read the transcripts if you prefer)

Go to this link: http://www.wwnorton.com/college/history/give-me-liberty4/ch/05/authorvideo.aspx

And watch Declaration of Independence Part 1 AND Declaration of Independence Part 2

3. What does Dr. Foner think about the ideals set forth in the Declaration?

Alternative View

Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States

-Link:http://www.historyisaweapon.com/zinnapeopleshistory.html

-Click on chapter: “Tyranny is Tyranny”

-You want to begin reading at “Tom Paine’s Common Sense, which appeared…” (a little more than half way down the scroll bar. If you search for “common sense” it will be the first occurrence)

-Read to the end of the chapter and answer the following questions

4. What does Zinn say was the “myth” of the American Revolution? And how does the Declaration of Independence play a role in that? Give 3 specific examples that prove his point. (Hint: This is a tricky question. When you find what you think are the three examples, ask yourself if they prove what he says the myth is. It isn’t just the first three things that come after the sentence where he talks about the myth).

5. Why does he think the Declaration was written?

6. What differences do you see between Foner’s view of the document and Zinn’s?

7. Having read the document yourself, which author do you agree with and why?