DEAR KING GEORGE

•   In the late 1700’s the American colonists were becoming dissatisfied with their relationship with King George III. They didn’t think he was doing the things that a good leader should do. What’s more, he was doing things like charging unfair taxes and making colonists open their homes for soldiers to live with them. Colonists were feeling kind of far away from their king to begin with, and, as you may know, long distance relationships don’t often last very long. Something needed to change. Colonists had begun to rebel.
• When the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia in 1776, the committee selected Thomas Jefferson to be in charge of a small group who would write a letter to King George III. He had already proven himself to be an honorable man, a knowledgeable man, and an excellent writer. Writing the letter was kind of a dangerous thing, because it would be received as treason by the king, going against the lawful ruler. People who were associated with this letter could be imprisoned or killed for expressing their desire to become independent from the king.

• Jefferson’s historic letter became known as the Declaration of Independence. It was very much like a break-up letter that might be exchanged between a boyfriend and a girlfriend. It listed all the reasons that the colonists thought the king was not being a very good king. It said that the king and the colonists should break their relationship with each other, and each should go their own way. Congress approved the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The members of the Second Continental Congress all signed it at the bottom. One of the men would become famous for his signature. Remember, signing the document would put a person at risk for severe punishment or death. Not wanting the king to overlook his name, John Hancock signed in huge letters. Even though those events took place long ago, he is remembered by name whenever something requires a signature. You may have heard someone request a signature by asking, “would you put your John Hancock right here?”

 Name:__________________________________

Answer the following questions based on the reading passage. Don’t forget to go back to the passage whenever necessary to find or confirm your answers.

1. What do you think the king might have said when he read the Declaration of Independence?
2. Do you believe the colonists had the right to separate from the king, or were they committing treason?
3. What do you think made some of the colonist remain loyal to England and the king even though others did not?
4. How was the relationship between the king and the colonists similar to a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship?
5. Do you think John Hancock was brave or foolish? Why?