The Colonies Declare Independence

1. The Colonies Declare Independence Mr. Stetler 8th Grade History Davidson, James W. The American Nation. Houghton-Mifflin, Needham, Mass. 173-175

2. Setting the Scene • By the winter of 1775, the Patriots had been fighting Britain for months. Yet, many colonists were still reluctant to cut their ties with Britain. • Thomas Paine published a fiery pamphlet called “Common Sense” which appeared in January 1776. In six months more than 500,000 copies were sold. • Urged on by Paine and other “radicals” -people who want to make drastic changes in society- the colonists were beginning to think the unthinkable, they wanted to create a nation of their own.

3. Common Sense • By 1776, many colonists had come to believe that Parliament did not have the right to make laws for the 13 colonies. After all, the colonies did have their own elected legislatures in place. • The majority of colonists still felt a bond of loyalty to Britain, they especially felt that they owed allegiance to the King. • Thomas Paine argued that colonists did not owe loyalty to George III or any other monarch. The very idea of having kings and queens was wrong, Paine said.

4. According to Paine, if the British had helped the colonists, they had done so for their own profit. It could only hurt the colonists to remain under British rule.

5. Congress Votes for Independence • Common Sense sold many colonists on the idea of independence. It also deeply impressed many members of the Continental Congress. • In June of 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia rose in Congress to introduce a resolution in favor of independence. • The delegates faced a difficult decision. There could be no turning back once they declared independence. They would be seen as traitors of the Crown and would be hanged.

6. The delegates appointed a committee to draw up a formal declaration of independence. The committee included John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Richard Livingston, and Roger Sherman. • Thomas Jefferson was asked by the committee to write the document. Jefferson was one of the youngest delegates, a quiet man who spoke little at formal meetings. His ability to write clearly and gracefully earned him great respect. • In late June of 1776, Jefferson completed the declaration and it was read to Congress.

7. In late June, Jefferson completed the declaration, and it was read to the Congress. • After polishing Jefferson’s language, the delegates adopted the document on the night of July 4, 1776. They then ordered the Declaration of Independence to be printed. • John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration first, he penned his signature boldly, in large, clear letters so King George could clearly read it. • Copies of the Declaration were distributed throughout the colonies.

8. “Remember the Ladies” “ I long to hear that you have independence. And … in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands…If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to forment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or representation.” -Abigail Adams March 31,1776

9. Women’s Suffrage Project • In order to bring attention to the treatment of women during and before 1776, Abigail Adams wrote her husband a letter. • Using classroom supplies you will try and bring awareness to women’s equality in your own way. • Make a poster, song lyrics, or a poem in order to bring awareness to the need for women to be seen as equal in 1776.

10. Calling for Freedom We all sit here while you fight your war, When you shoot muskets, we do your chores. Your voices call out, let freedom ring, We only ask: “what will tomorrow bring?” In the past we have been enslaved, Going about in our husband’s ways. Please let this revolution see us out, If “freedom” is what this is all about.