What was Paine’s view of Great Britian. What was his purpose of Common Sense?

A. Pushed Towards Independence Events in 1775 moved colonists towards the idea of independence Events in 1775 moved colonists towards the idea of independence Colonists angry at the King’s response to the Olive Branch Petition Colonists angry at the King’s response to the Olive Branch Petition Learned the British were recruiting Native Americans and African Americans to fight them. Learned the British were recruiting Native Americans and African Americans to fight them. By spring of 1776 the leaders in the colonies were believing in independence By spring of 1776 the leaders in the colonies were believing in independence

B. Revolutionary Ideology 1.Locke and Natural Rights – Colonial leaders knew about Locke’s theory – He believed that the government should protect the rights and liberties of it’s citizens – The Parliament was not doing this for the Colonists – This justified rebellion against the bad government the bad government

2. Virginia Declaration of Rights – May 1776: Virginia Convention issues this declaration – First official call for American Independence – Influences the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and many state constitutions – Declared all men “by nature equally free and independent…”

C. Writing the Declaration 1.Continental Congress and Independence – Virginia presents three resolutions to the Congress about independence – Delegates of the Congress appoint a group to write a draft of a declaration of independence – Appoint John Adams, Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin to write it

2.Jefferson’s Declaration – Jefferson is given the task to write it by the group – His drafts are changed by Adams and Franklin – Draft is presented to the Continental Congress – They make more changes Tone down the language Tone down the language against the King against the King Take out the section that Take out the section that attacked the slave trade attacked the slave trade

3.Signing the Declaration of Independence – July 2, 1776: final document presented to Congress – Congress votes to declare independence – July 4, 1776: declaration is fully approved – Crowds across the colonies cheered and church bells rang out

D. What it Says List of reasons for breaking away from Great Britain List of reasons for breaking away from Great Britain Says “All men are created equal.” Says “All men are created equal.” Natural Rights: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness Natural Rights: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness If government does not protect these rights you can get rid of it If government does not protect these rights you can get rid of it GB is not protecting the colonists so they can get rid of the government GB is not protecting the colonists so they can get rid of the government Declares all political ties to GB dissolved Declares all political ties to GB dissolved

E. Those Against Independence 1.Western Frontier – Colonists in the frontier did not want to be pulled into the fighting – Feared fighting the British would pull many men away from home

2.Loyalists – About 1/4 of colonists remained loyal to Great Britain – They were called Loyalist Tories – Loyalists ties were highest in Southern Colonies except Virginia – Loyalists were often tied to the government – Loyalists were harassed, attacked, or run out of town