DECLARING INDEPENDENCE

At the beginning of the American Revolution, most of the fighting happened in New England. At this point, many Americans were still loyalists. This was especially true in the Southern Colonies where more people were economically dependent upon Britain. Why were southerners typically more dependent upon Britain?

In January of 1776, an Englishman who was sympathetic with the patriot cause named Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet called Common Sense. He tried to explain to Americans that they did not owe any loyalty to Britain because Britain saw the colonies only as a place to make profit. He also stated that the very idea of Kings and Queens is flawed and that the colonies did not owe loyalty to King George III. He urged the colonies to declare independence from Britain. Over 500,000 copies of this pamphlet were handed out around the colonies.

What do you think happened to the number of patriots and the number of loyalists in the colonies after this pamphlet was distributed?

Common Sense also had an impact on the Continental Congress. In June, 1776 Richard Henry Lee of Virginia proposed the idea that the colonies should formally declare Independence from Great Britain.

The Continental Congress approved and appointed a committee to write a draft: John Adams Thomas Jefferson Roger Sherman Benjamin Franklin Robert Livingston

Thomas Jefferson was chosen to actually write the document (although, John Adams was originally chosen but turned it down calling himself obnoxious and disliked).

Quotes about Adams: Adams was "petty, mean, erratic, egoistic, eccentric, jealous, and had a mean temper." -Alexander Hamilton "Whether he is spiteful, playful, witty, kind, cold, drunk, sober, angry, easy stiff, jealous, cautious, close, open, it is always in the wrong place or to the wrong person." -Member of Adams's Cabinet "I am puffy, vain, conceited." -John Adams (While dating his future wife Abigail, John also sent her a "Catalogue of her Faults, Imperfections, Defects, or whatever you please to call them.")

Anyways... back to the Declaration In late June the document was submitted to the committee and revised. It was finalized and voted upon on July 2, It was signed by John Hancock on July 4, Most of the remaining "signers of the Declaration of Independence" did not sign until or after August 4, Still, we traditionally celebrate the 4th of July as our Independence Day.

What might happen to the individuals involved if they are caught by the British?

The Declaration of Independence can be broken down into 4 main parts: I. The Preamble (Colonists explain the purpose of what they are doing) II. The Purpose of Government (Explanation of rights that all people have from birth and what the government's job is)

The Declaration of Independence can be broken down into 4 main parts: III. Wrongs Done by the King (a list of every wrong done to the American colonies by Parliament and the King) IV. Colonies Declare Independence (the conclusion of the document, the colonies state they are completely independent from Great Britain and are a new country)