Paired Texts > The Declaration of Independence

This article discusses the convoluted and problematic means by which American citizens help select their president.

In this speech, Patrick Henry rouses colonist leaders to take up arms against the British tyranny. It is from this speech that the Declaration of Independence was born. This speech uses an emotional argument, and lays the foundation for fundamental American values of individual power.

Founding Fathers Adams and Jefferson shared a great friendship and exchanged many letters. This letter captures the famous debate between Jefferson and Adams about core democratic principles.

In this document by British philosopher John Locke, Locke argues for individual sacrifice so that people can live peacefully in a political society. Locke's philosophical works heavily influenced American revolutionaries and the formation of democracy.

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1697) was an English philosopher, best known for his political philosophy. In this famous work, Hobbes discusses the concept of the "social contract," the idea that humans benefit from a common rule of law; otherwise, they fall into disorder and violence. In social contract theory, Hobbes proposes that humans consent to surrender some of their freedoms in order to secure their remaining rights.

Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was an African American social reformer, orator, writer, former slave, and leading abolitionist. In this speech delivered to a crowd of abolitionists in New York, Douglass reminds his audience of the inherent hypocrisy of an "Independence Day" for people enslaved.

"The Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions" is a document written by suffragette Elizabeth Cady Stanton and signed by 68 women and 32 men at the Seneca Falls Convention — the first women's rights convention. This number represents 100 people who signed the following document, out of a total of 300 people who were in attendance at the convention, showing how "The Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions" was controversial in its time.

In "The Road to American Independence," the text recounts the major events that led the American colonies to victory in the Revolutionary War and independence from Great Britain.

These excerpts from Thomas Jefferson's letters and book Notes on the State of Virginia reveal Jefferson's complicated view of American Indians and their uncertain future in America.

The Articles of Confederation are a historic governing document detailing the agreement between the original 13 states of the United States; it preceded the U.S. Constitution.

In the informational text, "The Signers of the Declaration: Historical Background," the author discusses the events leading up to the War for Independence.

In this text, students learn how the jury system developed, particularly in England.