1. Section 1 A Nation Declares Independence
Chapter 6
Section 1 A Nation Declares Independence

2. A Call for Independence
In 1776 both patriots and loyalists were in the minority
Many colonists were in the middle
Even in the Continental Congress support for independence was limited to about 1/3

3. Common Sense
Thomas Paine’s 50 page pamphlet printed in 1776 convinced more Americans to support independence from Britain
Increased support for independence within the Continental Congress

4. Virginia’s Resolution
Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution to Congress stating the colonies should be “free and independent states”
Before voting on Lee’s resolution Congress appointed a committee of five to draw up a statement stating the reasons for separation
Thomas Jefferson a delegate from Virginia was to write the declaration
John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman were also on the committee

5. The Declaration of Independence
Uses ideas from the Enlightenment and step by step logic to explain why the colonists wanted to break away from Britian.
The preamble states “ a decent respect of the opinions to mankind” requires that colonists explain why they are breaking away from Britain
The DOI then has three main parts
Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson reviewing the DOI

6. Part 1: Natural Rights
First section states general ideas about society and government based on John Locke’s ideas about natural rights
Jefferson wrote “all men are created equal” and are born with “certain rights”
Jefferson also wrote if the government violates these rights,the people can abolish their government and create another

7. Part 2: List of Grievances
Next Jefferson had to prove that the British government did violate the rights of the colonists
The Declaration condemns King George III of “imposing taxes on [colonists] without [their] consent” and of “depriving [them], in many cases, of trial by jury”
Both were violations of traditional English rights
The Declaration states the colonists have tried to reason many times with King George III but he ignored them

8. Part 3: Dissolving the Bonds
States that its logical since people have the right to abolish a government that is unjust, and the King has been unjust to the colonists, the colonies should be “free and independent states” with no political ties between them and Britain.

9. Impact of Declaration
On July 4, 1776 Congress approved the Declaration of Independence
The DOI changed the nature of the Revolution
Patriots were no longer fighting for fairer treatment but for the creation of a new nation

10. Too Late to Apologize

11. Looking Back
Declaring Independence was only the first step. For the Declaration to have real meaning the American’s would have to win their liberties on the battlefield.