The Colonies Declare Independence

The Common Sense Written by Thomas Paine Published in 1776 500,000 copies sold in six months

The Common Sense Meant to change the minds of colonists towards Britain Colonists didn’t owe loyalty to King George The idea of Kings and Queens was wrong Britain did everything for their own benefit

“In England a King hath little more to do than make war and give away [job]; 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

Congress Votes for Independence Declaration Committe: John Adams Benjamin Franklin Thomas Jefferson Robert Livingston Roger Sherman Committee asked Jefferson to write the declaration

Signing of the Declaration Late June 1776, Jefferson presented the Declaration to Congress On July 2nd Congress voted that the colonies would be free and independent states Document adopted and signed on July 4th 1776 Ordered it to be printed and distributed John Hancock was the first to sign

The Declaration of Independence The Declaration consists of a preamble, or introduction, followed by three main parts Natural Rights British Wrongs Independence

Natural Rights “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

British Wrongs “In every state of these oppressions, we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms; our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant is unfit to be the ruler of a free people”

Independence “ And, for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”