1. A Nation Declares Independence

2. Focus Questions How did Thomas Paine stir support for independence?
Why did many colonists favor declaring independence?

3. America in 1776
Colonists were still far from united behind a Revolutionary War
Patriots wanted to fight for freedom
Loyalists still favored working with King George III and the British government
Most were still undecided
Didn’t like the British taxes and wanted more freedoms but didn’t think it would be worth a fight

4. Common Sense
January 1776, Thomas Paine publishes a 50 page pamphlet in Philadelphia
Common Sense calls for independence and convincingly argues for the colonists to govern themselves.
500,000 copies were sold in the 7 months before the Declaration of Independence was signed

5. The Declaration of Independence
Written in Philadelphia during the summer of 1776 at the Second Continental Congress
Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the draft
Declaration is divided
into an introduction and
three other parts

6. Breaking Down the Declaration
Preamble
Natural Rights
List of Grievances
Dissolving the Bonds (Breaking Away)

7. Checking for Understanding
What ideas are brought forth in the preamble?
What natural rights are listed?
What are a few of the grievances against King George III?
What was the Second Continental Congress stating in the final section of the Declaration?