Declaration of Independence Section 2 Declaration of Independence

I. Thomas Paine Urged to write an essay urging the colonists to declare independence. Winter of 1775 -patriots had been fighting Britain for months. Colonists still were reluctant to cut ties with Great Britain. Thomas Paine wrote the pamphlet Common Sense. (to change people’s attitudes toward Britain and the king) “From the errors of other nations, let us learn wisdom,”

II. Common sense Appeared in print January 1776. Paine stated that colonists did not owe loyalty to George III or any other monarch. the idea of kings and queens were wrong. Colonists did not owe anything to Britain Argued that if England helped the Colonies it was to their own profit. Common Sense sold the colonists on the idea of independence. “Everything that is right or reasonable pleads for separation.” “ ‘tis time to part”

III. Resolution for Independence June 1776 -Richard Henry Lee of Virginia announced to Congress a resolution in favor of independence: “ Resolved, That these United Colonies are and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between the and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.” -Richard Henry Lee, Resolution at the Second Continental Congress June 7, 1776

B. Making the Break Delegates faced a difficult decision if they declared independence. If they fell into British hands they would be hanged as traitors. After a long debate, Congress took the step and appointed a committee to draw up the declaration. Their job was to tell the world why the colonies were breaking away from Britain

Declaration committee John Adams Ben Franklin Thomas Jefferson Boston, MA Philadelphia, PA Charlottesville, VA Declaration committee Robert Livingston Roger Sherman Clermont, NY New Haven, CT

5. Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson was asked to write the Declaration of Independence. Youngest of the Continental Congress delegates.( 33 years old) Quiet man His ability to Write clearly and gracefully won him respect

IV. Signing the Document LAte June of 1776- Jefferson completed the declaration. July 2, 1776-the Continental Congress voted that all 13 colonies were “free and independent States.” Document was adopted the night of July 4, 1776. John Hancock the first to sign Copies of the Declaration of Independence were printed and distributed throughout the colonies. Patriots were joyous over the Document. (new York colonists tore down the statue of King George and In Boston canons were fired for hours ) http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=216361

V. Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence consists of 4 parts : 1. Preamble (Introduction)

2. Natural Rights “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.” According to the Declaration, people form governments in order to protect their natural rights and liberties. Governments can only exist if they have the Consent of the governed. If the government does not uphold this then the people can remove said government.

3. British Wrongs This section of the DOI lists the wrongs that Britain has done that led the colonies to break away. Disbanding colonial legislatures Sending troops to colonies during peacetimes Limits on trade And imposed taxes without consent “In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.”

4. Independence Last part announces that the colonies are the United States of America. All ties with Great Britain are cut. As a free independent nation the USA could levy war, conclude peace,…. “And, for the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of Devine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our freedoms, and our sacred honor.”