1. Declaring Independence

2. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense
Pamphlet distributed in Philadelphia
Writing style was easy for people to read
Paine argued that citizens, not kings and queens
should make laws
Common Sense changed the way many colonists viewed their king
United the Colonists to support independence

3. Independence is Declared
Declaration of Independence –written by Thomas Jefferson
Formal announced the break with Britain
Three main ideas:
All people have unalienable rights; life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
The king violated the colonists’ rights and interfered with their right to govern themselves
The colonists had the right to break their tie with Britain
Enlightenment ideas:
governments protect the rights of citizens
And in return citizens agree to be governed

4. Unfinished Business
The Declaration of Independence excluded many colonists even though “all men are created equal”
Women
Enslaved Africans
Native Americans
These issues remained unresolved long after independence was won

5. Write Your Summary