Editing the Declaration
The Second Continental Congress named a committee of five representatives in June of 1776. The committee was to draft an official declaration of separation from Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson did most of the writing, but the others had edits. Then the Continental Congress also had edits.
Why are the edits to the Declaration of Independence significant?
Why are the edits to the Declaration of Independence significant?
This learning activity encourages students to compare and contrast Thomas Jefferson's final draft, or fair copy, of the Declaration of Independence with the version that was approved by the Second Continental Congress and made public.
What are some of the differences between between the draft and the final text of the Declaration?
How would the tone and meaning of the Declaration be different without those changes?
What is the lasting legacy of the edits to the Declaration?
This activity was written for 6th through 12th grades.
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