1. Aim: Why did the colonists write the Declaration of Independence?
Do Now: Copy the Vocabulary
Common Sense- pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that show colonies it made common sense to break away from England
1st Continental Congress – meeting of representatives of the colonies in Philadelphia to discuss how to deal with England’s taxation
2nd Continental Congress – meeting of representatives of the colonies in Philadelphia where the Declaration of Independence was written and signed
Declaration of Independence-A document that states the reasons the thirteen American colonies wanted to be free of Great Britain's government

2. Primary Source Analysis
Obtain the excerpt from Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”
Read the questions
Examine the document
Answer the questions that follow

3. What do these two men have in common? Hint: Use your common sense.

4. 1st Continental Congress
We say…“No Taxation Without Representation”
But … We need Britain!!!
Kind sirs, we have convened this Congress to find a way to make peace between the colonies and the King.
1st Continental Congress

5. 2nd Continental Congress
Now that war is upon us… we are here once again to represent the 13 colonies, gentlemen.!
2nd Continental Congress

6. What did the Declaration actually declare?
Read the questions (underline important words)
Read the document
Answer the questions
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government

7. Can you put these pictures into words?=
Because… We DoN’T Want

8. Why was Common Sense Important?
Published in 1776, Common Sense challenged the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy (King George III).
The plain language that Paine used spoke to the common people of America.
This was the first work to openly ask for independence from Great Britain.
It helped to prompt the writing of the Declaration of Independence and eventually contributed to the colonists decision to go to war with Britain to gain their liberty (freedom).

9. Which document is most closely associated with
John Locke’s social contract theory of government?
(1) Albany Plan of Union
(2) Declaration of Independence
(3) Treaty of Paris (1783)
(4) Sedition Act of 1798

10. In the publication Common Sense, Thomas Paine
argued that
(1) foreign nations would reject an independent
American government
(2) the British government would be impossible
to overthrow
(3) America was dependent on British trade and
protection
(4) the American colonies should break away
from England

11. The Declaration of Independence (1776) has had
a major influence on peoples throughout the world because it
(1) guarantees universal suffrage
(2) establishes a basic set of laws for every nation
(3) provides justification for revolting against unjust governments
(4) describes the importance of a strong central
government

12. Homework: You will complete both sides of the Color My Quote Handout.
This must be completed using different color ink.
You must draw a picture
You must use a dictionary to translate the vocabulary words that you do not know.