SUMMARY

In July of 1776, the Second Continental Congress officially voted to sever political ties with Great Britain and declare independence. In this week celebrating 250 years since the founding of the nation, and just ahead of Independence Day, Judy Woodruff brings us a conversation from a site synonymous with the Founding Fathers. It’s part of her series, Crossroads: America at 250.

View the transcript of the story.

NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What do you want to learn more about? You can also make a Google doc copy of these general discussion questions.

News alternative: Check our recent segments from the News Hour and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. See the Google doc above for discussion questions.

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence and in hindsight, why was that a surprising choice?
2. What, given that the war had already been going on for a year, was the primary purpose of the Declaration of Independence, according to this piece?
3. When did Jefferson finalize the document and what controversial grievance was ultimately removed?
4. Where did the founding fathers find the formula that they adapted into the Declaration of Independence?
5. Why does Ron Chernow believe John Adams and Benjamin Franklin may have regretted their decision to delegate the drafting of the Declaration of Independence?

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

1. How might the inclusion of the grievance that King George III had "saddled the colonies with slavery" changed the course of American history? Do you think that challenging the institution of slavery would have threatened the popular legitimacy of the independence movement?
2. Do you think the founding fathers would approve of contemporary (current) efforts to create a "more perfect" union? Why do Chernow and Lindsay Chervinsky worry our "best and brightest" minds might be increasingly disinclined to seek leadership roles?

Media literacy: Why do you think Woodruff chose to interview two renowned presidential historians for this segment? What other perspective(s) might have been useful to the discussion?

WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO

A. Read the full transcription of the Declaration of Independence in the National Archives. Then, write a 250-400 word essay that includes analysis of the following:

1. One grievance against King George III that you feel the current U.S. government is also guilty of
2. One grievance against King George III that you feel the current U.S. government has learned from/avoided
3. Whether or not you think America is working towards becoming a "more perfect union" through constant self-improvement, as the founding fathers envisioned

B. Watch the following clip from the PBS News podcast series, "In Pursuit of Happiness," where Woodruff and Chervinsky analyze what made President George Washington such an effective leader.

Written by PBS News Hour Classroom's Intern Henry Mode and Vic Pasquantonio.

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