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.