1. Declaration of Independence

3. Battles break out
Few colonists want complete independence
King George enlarges and sends army
Thomas Paine publishes “Common Sense”
Independence is a right; need to be free
Pre-Independence

4. Jefferson gets asked to draft a statement of independence
The Continental Congress convenes July 1st, vote for independence July 2nd, and adopted the Declaration of Independence July 4th
Probably not signed until August
The Draft

5. The first official statement from a newly independent country
Now one not 13 separate colonies (Unanimous)
Culmination of Enlightenment philosophies
Why Does It Matter?