The American Revolution

Part 2

Independence Declared

King George III was furious when he heard about the Olive Branch Petition the colonists had sent. He vowed to crush the rebels.

At first most colonists were hoping to patch up the quarrel with the British. However, when they heard about King George’s reaction, many felt that it was time to openly break away from Great Britain.

Common Sense

In January of 1776, a pamphlet called “Common Sense” appeared on the streets of Philadelphia. “I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense,” said its author, a man named Thomas Paine. Thomas Paine’s “plain arguments” boldly urged the colonies to declare their independence from Britain.

Thomas Paine’s pamphlet,

“COMMON SENSE” had a great effect on the American

people.

Paine himself had only recently arrived from England, but he shared the desire for liberty. In his pamphlet he pointed out that it didn’t make sense to stay under British rule.

“It is foolish…to be always running three or four thousand miles with a tale or petition, waiting four or five months for an answer, which when obtained requires five or six more to explain it in.

Britain was more than 3,000 miles away from the United States.

• Paine also didn’t care for kings and queens.

• “One honest man is worth more in the sight of God than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived”.

• Common Sense sold 500,000 copies in only 6 months.

• George Washington even changed some of his old habits including toasting the king before official dinners.

The Fateful Step

Common Sense also affected many members of the Continental Congress. Many felt it was time to declare independence from Great Britain.

Delegates faced a difficult decision. There would be no turning back if they declared independence. If they were caught by the British, they would be hanged as traitors.

Writing the Declaration of Independence

• The congress chose a committee to create a declaration of independence. The committee included: John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman.

• Their job was to tell the world why they were breaking away from Great Britain.

• Thomas Jefferson was actually chosen to write the document. He finished it in late June of 1776.

Thomas Jefferson, at age 33, was

the main author of the

Declaration of Independence.

On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted that the 13 colonies should be “free and independent states.” Two days later on July 4, the delegates accepted the official Declaration of Independence, and ever since, Americans have celebrated the 4th of July as INDEPENDENCE DAY.

Jefferson and the Drafting Committee presenting the Declaration of Independence to Congress.

John Hancock

The Declaration was later signed, probably in August, by representatives of the different states. John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress was the first to sign the Declaration. He signed using quite large letters. He was quoted as saying, “There, I guess King George will be able to read that.”

Has anyone ever asked you

to put your “John Hancock”

on anything?

New Yorkers taking down the statue of King George. Lead from the statue was turned into musket balls.

What is in the Declaration of Independence?

The Declaration of Independence contains 3 specific parts.

“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.”

#1—Basic Rights• How do people protect their basic rights?

• The Declaration says governments can exist only if they the have permission of the people.

• If a government takes away its citizen’s rights, then it is the peoples’ “right and duty to throw off such government, and provide new guards for their future security.”

#2—British Wrongs

• The Declaration also lists the bad things the British had done.

• Jefferson documented how King George III had abused his power.

• The king was condemned for disbanding colonial legislatures and sending troops to the colonies in times of peace.

• Other wrongs were also listed.

#3—An Independent Nation

• The last part of the Declaration of Independence announces that the colonies have become “the United States of America.”

• All official ties with Britain are cut.

• As a free and independent nation, the United States could make alliances and trade with other countries.

Choosing Sides• Just because we had declared our

independence didn’t automatically mean we had it. IT HAD TO BE EARNED!!!

• People now had to choose which side to be on.

• PATRIOTS -- People who supported independence.

• LOYALISTS -- People who remained loyal to Britain.

• The country was pretty evenly split.

• About 1/3 were patriots, 1/3 were loyalists, and 1/3 were in the middle.

• New England had the greatest number of patriots.

• The Middle Colonies and the South had higher numbers of Loyalists.

• Many Loyalists were forced to flee to Canada or England, and many lost their homes, stores, and farms.