A Nation Declares their Independence Chapter 6-1 Review

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

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

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

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

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

Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson John Adams Benjamin Franklin

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”

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

56 signers TRAITORS!