The American Revolution Declaring Independence Chapter 4, Section 2 Pages 118 - 121

Background Information The outbreak of violence at Lexington, Concord, and Boston took some colonists by surprise. Many opposed independence from Great Britain. Those who supported freedom began to promote their causes in many different ways.

Paine’s common sense Thomas Paine wrote a 47-page pamphlet in which he presented an argument that it was just a matter of common sense that the British government allow the American colonies to be free and control their own affairs. Paine stated that the citizens, not kings or queens, should make the laws. Eventually over 500,000 copies of Paine’s work was sold.

Independence is declared In June 1776, the Second Continental Congress formed a committee to write a document declaring the colonies’ independence. The Declaration of Independence formally announced the colonies’ break from Great Britain.

A new philosophy The Declaration of Independence expressed three main ideas. First – It argued that all people possess unalienable rights, including the rights of “life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.” Second – It declared that King George had violated the colonists’ rights by taxing them without their consent. Third – It stated that the colonies had the right to break away from Great Britain.

Social contract Thomas Jefferson maintained that governments and rulers must protect the rights of the people. In exchange, the people would agree to be governed. On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence – breaking all ties to the English crown.

Choosing sides Those who supported independence from Britain called themselves Patriots. They would be considered to be Traitors by the British. Colonists who chose to side with the British were known as Loyalists – often called Tories. Historians estimate that 40-45 percent of Americans were Patriots, while 20-30 percent were Loyalists.

Unfinished business While it declared that “all men are created equal,” the Declaration failed to mention women, enslaved Africans, or Native Americans. Abigail Adams (wife of John Adams) tried to influence her husband to include women’s rights in the Declaration. She wanted him to “Remember the Ladies.” Enslaved Africans and Native Americans were also not mentioned in the Declaration. It would be many years until everyone would be free.