1. A Nation Declares their Independence
Chapter 6-1 Review

2. Changing Public Opinion
Early in 1776 the country was still very divided about what course we should take
Loyalists vs. Patriots
Most citizens were undecided and hoped for a peaceful resolution to the conflict

3. Thomas Paine Scottish immigrant
Worked several jobs in Britain including a tax collector
Author of “Common Sense” and “The Crisis”
Helped sway public opnion in favor of independence
Video

4. Common Sense Published January, 1776 Published anonymously
Written by Thomas Paine
Sold over 500,000 copies in the first year
Only 50 pages long
All royalties were donated to the Continental Army

5. Logic for Independence from Common Sense
It was absurd for an island to rule a continent
America was not a "British nation"; it was composed of influences and peoples from all of Europe
Even if Britain were the "mother country" of America, that made her actions all the more horrendous, for no mother would harm her children so brutally
Britain’s distance from the colonies made it impractical for her to make decisions. Colonists may not get an answer for a year after making a request

6. Virginia Resolution Introduced by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia
…these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States…
2nd Continental Congress picks a committee of 5 to write a formal declaration while colonies decide how to vote

7. Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson
John Adams
Benjamin Franklin

8. Declaration of Independence
Preamble- explains the purpose of the document
Natural Rights- Influenced by the Enlightenment Era thinkers, especially John Locke (Natural Rights)
List of Grievances- what the king has done wrong
Dissolving the Bonds- because of the aforementioned we are now “free and independent states”

9. Impact of the Declaration
Video
Made public July 4, 1776
Gave the patriots a cause, fighting to create a nation
The 56 signers were now officially traitors!
“We must all hang together or most assuredly we shall all hang separately” ~Benjamin Franklin

10. 56 signers
TRAITORS!