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A Nation Declares their Independence. Chapter 6-1 Review. Changing Public Opinion. Early in 1776 the country was still very divided about what course we should take Loyalists vs. Patriots Most citizens were undecided and hoped for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Thomas Paine.
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A Nation Declares their Independence Chapter 6-1 Review
Changing Public Opinion • Early in 1776 the country was still very divided about what course we should take • Loyalists vs. Patriots • Most citizens were undecided and hoped for a peaceful resolution to the conflict
Thomas Paine • Scottish immigrant • Worked several jobs in Britain including a tax collector • Author of “Common Sense” and “The Crisis” • Helped sway public opnion in favor of independence Video
Common Sense • Published January, 1776 • Published anonymously • Written by Thomas Paine • Sold over 500,000 copies in the first year • Only 50 pages long • All royalties were donated to the Continental Army
Logic for Independence from Common Sense • It was absurd for an island to rule a continent • America was not a "British nation"; it was composed of influences and peoples from all of Europe • Even if Britain were the "mother country" of America, that made her actions all the more horrendous, for no mother would harm her children so brutally • Britain’s distance from the colonies made it impractical for her to make decisions. Colonists may not get an answer for a year after making a request
Virginia Resolution • Introduced by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia • …these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States… • 2nd Continental Congress picks a committee of 5 to write a formal declaration while colonies decide how to vote
Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson John Adams Benjamin Franklin
Declaration of Independence • Preamble- explains the purpose of the document • Natural Rights- Influenced by the Enlightenment Era thinkers, especially John Locke (Natural Rights) • List of Grievances- what the king has done wrong • Dissolving the Bonds- because of the aforementioned we are now “free and independent states”
Impact of the Declaration Video • Made public July 4, 1776 • Gave the patriots a cause, fighting to create a nation • The 56 signers were now officially traitors! • “We must all hang together or most assuredly we shall all hang separately” ~Benjamin Franklin
56 signers TRAITORS!