Declaration of Independence

1
Declaration of Independence

• Chapter 6.2

2
Overview

• Describe the impact of Thomas Paines Common
  Sense
• List the steps Congress took to declare the
  independence
• Summarize the main ideas of the Declaration of
  Independence

3
Common Sense

• Thomas Paine, wrote an essay called Common Sense.
• 500,000 copies sold in 6 months.
• Changes attitudes that colonist did not owe
  loyalty to king.
• Colonist did not owe anything to Britain, they
  should be free.

4
Congress Votes

• Richard Henry Lee of Virginia votes for
  separation
• Once decision made, no turning back
• All would be labeled traitor
• A committee was selected to draft a declaration
  of independence
• John Adams, Franklin, Jefferson, Robert
  Livingston and Roger Sherman on committee

5
Declaration of Independence

• Preamble Introduction
• First Part focus on natural rights or rights that
  belong to all people.
• If government fails to protect people, it is the
  peoples duty to throw off such government.
• Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness.
• British Wrongs-
• Condemns King for disbanding colonial
  legislature, sending troops, imposed taxes,
  limits on trade.

6
The Declaration
7
Independence

• The last part of the document announces that the
  colonies now are the United States of America.
• Cut all ties with King and Britain.