The Declaration of Independence

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense

• Common Sense: 47-page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine, published in January 1776.

– 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.

independence : (n)

the freedom to govern on one’s own.

declaration : (n)

an official statement

Choosing Sides

• Many colonial leaders agreed with Thomas Paine’s ideas.

• Second Continental Congress created a committee in June 1776 to write a document declaring independence.

Who was involved?

• Benjamin Franklin

• John Adams• Robert R.

Livingston• Roger Sherman• Thomas

Jefferson

Writing the Declaration

• Thomas Jefferson, at the young age of 33 was main author.

• It took him two weeks.

• Declaration of Independence formally announced break with Great

Britain.

The Declaration of Independence

• The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776.

• That is why we celebrate Independence Day on July 4th.

• This is the day that the United States of America declared their independence from King George and Great Britain.

Five Parts of the Declaration

• Preamble• Statement of Human Rights• Charges against King and Parliament• Statement of Separation• Signatures

What is a Preamble?

• A preamble is an introductory statement.

• Introductory part of a constitution or statute.

• States the reasons for and intent of the law.

Preamble

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another…

Statement of Human Rights

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.

Statement of Human Rights

• Government is formed to protect rights.

• Britain is no longer protecting the colonists’ rights.

• People have a right to change the government

Charges Against the King and Parliament

List of 27 complaints• Some of the complaints included:

• Cutting off trade • Imposing taxes without consent • Depriving colonists of Trial by Jury• Keeping Standing Armies without consent of

legislatures

Statement of Separation

• Colonies are united.

• All connections with Great Britain are dissolved.

• States have power and authority to:• levy war • conclude peace and contract alliances• establish commerce

Signing the Declaration

• 56 men signed the document. • Oldest signer was Benjamin Franklin.(70)• The youngest was Edward Rutledge. (26) • Most famous was John Hancock.

Patriots

Loyalists

• Patriots chose to fight for independence.

• About 40 to 45 percent of Americans were Patriots

• Loyalists, sometimes called Tories, remained loyal to Britain.

• About 20 to 30 percent of Americans were Loyalists.

Choosing Sides

Neutral

• About 25 percent of Americans remained neutral.

Leaving People Out

• Declaration ignored many colonists.– Did not address the rights of women.– Did not recognize the rights of enslaved African Americans.– Did not address the rights of Native Americans to life, liberty, or

property.

Benjamin Franklin

• Benjamin Franklin, one of the most famous men in the world, was sent to France to ask for military aid as well as a loan.

• And the war was on!