The Colonies Declare Independence Ch. 6 Section 2

Common Sense 1776 – Colonists didn’t believe parliament had the right to make laws for them Thomas Paine; Author of Common Sense – Wanted to change the colonists attitudes towards Britain “In England a King hath little more to do than to make war and give away [jobs]; which in plain terms, is to impoverish the nation….Of more worth is one honest man to society and in the sight of God, than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived” - Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776 Also states that colonists did not owe anything to Britain Anything Britain did for colonists was done for their own profit

Congress votes for independence Common Sense was very successful in swaying colonists opinions The continental congress formed a committee to draw up a formal declaration of independence. Thomas Jefferson was asked to write the document, one of the youngest delegates Signing the document – Jefferson finished in late June July 2nd – delegates voted that the colonies were “Free and independent states” July 4th – the Declaration of Independence was ordered to be printed

The Declaration of Independence Preamble – introduction; followed by three main parts 1st - Natural Rights – rights that belong to all people from birth “All men are created equal” People form governments to protect their natural rights and liberties 2nd - British Wrongs A list of every wrong that led to the break from Britain 3rd - Independence Announces that the colonies are the United states of America