Independence: In this section you will: travel back in American history to the time of the thirteen colonies struggling to free themselves from the rule of the British monarch. be provided with helpful information about the creation of the Declaration of Independence - a dramatic story. | American Government Independence In this section you will travel back in American history to the time of the thirteen colonies struggling to free themselves from the rule of the British monarch. be provided with helpful information about the creation of the Declaration of Independence - a dramatic story. The power and strength of US government come from the people in a democracy. The word “democracy” comes from two Greek words: “demos” meaning “people” and “kratos” meaning “power” or “authority.” Some countries have autocratic governments. The word “autocracy,” the opposite of democracy, comes from the Greek words: “autos” meaning “self” and “kratos” meaning “power.” In an autocratic government, one person or group holds all the power, without the participation, or sometimes even the consent, of the people. Independence: Democracy During America's first 150 years, most of the settlers came from Great Britain. Along America's Atlantic coast, these colonists built settlements that . | American Government Independence In this section you will travel back in American history to the time of the thirteen colonies struggling to free themselves from the rule of the British monarch. be provided with helpful information about the creation of the Declaration of Independence - a dramatic story. The power and strength of US government come from the people in a democracy. The word “democracy” comes from two Greek words: “demos” meaning “people” and “kratos” meaning “power” or “authority.” Some countries have autocratic governments. The word “autocracy,” the opposite of democracy, comes from the Greek words: “autos” meaning “self” and “kratos” meaning “power.” In an autocratic government, one person or group holds all the power, without the participation, or sometimes even the consent, of the people. Independence: Democracy During America's first 150 years, most of the settlers came from Great Britain. Along America's Atlantic coast, these colonists built settlements that became what are commonly called the "Original Thirteen Colonies." The British settlers lived under the rule of the King of England. They worked hard building homes, farms and towns, even though they did not own these places. Therefore, they wanted to be involved in making decisions about their lives and property. The British knew that the colonists wanted independence. But the British, instead, tried to take more control of the colonists. Colonists objected to British interference with their practices. The Original Thirteen Colonies The Revolutionary War broke out on April 19, 1775. In May 1775 the Second Continental Congress met to discuss stronger action for independence, tensions in the American colonies ran very high between "Patriots" and "Loyalists." . On June 11, 1776, the Second Continental Congress appointed a committee of five men to write a Declaration of Independence from British Rule. Those five men were Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, and
