Download - Chapter 3, section 2
Chapter 3, Section 2
Declaring Independence
Paine’s Common Sense
• In January of 1776, Thomas Paine, published a 47-page pamphlet entitled Common Sense.
– Common Sense inspired American colonists to challenge British authority.
duh
Paine’s Common Sense
• Common Sense:
– Urged separation from Great Britain
– Argued that citizens, not monarchs, should make laws
– Argued for economic freedom and the right to military self-defense
– Cried out against tyranny, the abuse of government power
– Reached a wide audience, selling some 500,000 copies
Paine’s Common Sense
• Main Idea 1: – Thomas Paine’s Common Sense led many
colonists to support independence.
duh
Independence for Colonies
• Many colonial leaders agreed with Thomas Paine’s ideas in Common Sense.
• The Second Continental Congress created a committee in June 1776 to write a document declaring independence
Brilliant!
Independence for Colonies• The Declaration of
Independence formally announced the break with Great Britain
– Tomas Jefferson was the main author
– It was officially approved on July 4, 1776
"Yes, we must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.“ – Ben Franklin
Independence for Colonies
• The Declaration ignored many colonists
– Did not address the rights of women
– Did not recognize the rights of enslaved African Americans
Independence for Colonies
• Patriots were colonials who chose to fight for independence.– About 40 to 45 percent of Americans were
Patriots
Independence for Colonies
• Loyalists, sometimes called Tories, were colonials who remained loyal to Britain.– About 20 to 30 percent of Americans were
Loyalists.
• About 20-25 percent of colonials remained neutral.
Independence for Colonies
• Main Idea 2: Colonists had differing reactions to the Declaration of Independence.