Writing the Declaration and Common Sense Mr. Sandford AP American History

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The 2nd Continental Congress b The 2nd CC met on May 10, 1775, in Philadelphia. Commander in Chief George WashingtonCommander in Chief George Washington Continental DollarsContinental Dollars Oliver Branch PetitionOliver Branch Petition Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms.Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms. Had to decide on Independence or conciliation.Had to decide on Independence or conciliation. alumni.princeton.edu/.../traditio nimages/ washington.jpg

Common Sense b After a victories in New England (1775/6) and the rejection of the Olive Branch Petition, no chance at reconciliation. b At the beginning of the year, Jan. 1776, a pamphlet was published by Thomas Paine, advocating that Monarchies do not work. b It sold 100,000 copies in a few months.

Thomas Paine b He recently arrived from England after failing at several businesses. Failed at making corsets and collecting taxes.Failed at making corsets and collecting taxes. b Benjamin Franklin met Paine in London, as Paine was advocating for high pay for tax collectors. b Franklin gave him a letter of introduction, and left for America in ilestones/ commonsense/paine1.jpg

Common Sense b It was initially pub. anonymously. b It sold quickly across America. b He expressed his ideas in a direct style and in everyday English. b The pamphlet brought the revolutionary sentiment into focus by blaming the suffering of the colonists directly on the concept of a Monarch. b He specifically named King George III b REVOLUTION!

Common Sense b It advocated an immediate declaration of independence. b It mocked the idea that an island control a continent. b It mocked the idea that a king was king because of his father, not ability. b It referred to the King as a “Royal Brute”

Its Impact b Written near the beginning of the revolution, it served as a way to get the “average” person to understand the revolution’s purpose. b It stirred colonists to strengthen their resolve, and support the war. b People across the country began to push for Independence - TIS TIME TO PART! b On June 7,1776, the first resolution was offered for Independence in the CC.

King George Quote In response to the actions by the colonists and the Olive Branch Petition, King George III, is quoted as saying: “ Once vigorous measures appear to be the only means left of bringing the Americans to a due submission to the mother country, the colonies will submit.”

Declaration of Independence b On June 7, 1776, Virginian Richard Henry Lee, introduced a resolution stating that the colonies “are, and of right ought to be, free and Independent States.” b Why was it significant that a Southerner introduce the resolution?

Declaration of Independence b The Congress appointed a committee to draw up a Declaration of Independence. b John Adams, Thomas Jefferson & Roger Sherman. b Thomas Jefferson took the lead to write, and on June 28, the committee proposed the Dec. to the Congress. ries/other.dynasties/ john- adams.jpg