Monday, March 9: ‘Our Declaration of Independence Turns 250’ - In this lecture, we will explore the causes and ideas that culminated in the American colonies fateful decision to split from England and forge a new nation.. Questions to be posed will include the following:  Was it inevitable? Had 150 years since the creation of the first English colony in America, coupled with the vast distance the Atlantic Ocean posed to travel and communication, broken the bonds of identity between the colonies and the colonists? Was the British Parliament to blame? Did the lack of colonial representation in the Parliament leading to unfair taxes subject the colonists to tyranny? Was the decision to separate from England the will of the people, or the will of a few? Why was a Declaration of Independence necessary? What was Jefferson trying to achieve when writing it? What did the final words of the Declaration mean - Jefferson's claim that Americans would need to pledge ' our lives; our fortunes, and our sacred honor'?