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Declaration of Independence

Explore the conflicting interpretations of the Declaration of Independence and its impact on the Revolutionary Cause. Analyze the influence of Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" and the reasons for the shift in loyalty towards independence.

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Declaration of Independence

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  1. Declaration of Independence Philadelphia May 1775

  2. To What Extent: • “The Declaration of Independence has been variously interpreted as: • A bid for French support • An attempt to swing uncommitted Americans to the revolutionary cause • A statement of universal principles • An affirmation of the traditional rights as Englishmen.” • To what extent are these interpretations in conflict?

  3. Second Continental Congress • May 1775 • Delegates meet in Philadelphia • Movement toward Independence is growing • British Government (Lord North) is not interested in negotiation. • Olive Branch is rejected the war continues

  4. Thomas Paine • The author of “Common Sense” • Said of the American Revolution: • “Contributed more to enlighten the world and defuse a spirit of freedom and liberty among mankind than any human event that ever preceded it.”

  5. “Common Sense” • Thomas Paine, a middle aged English immigrant to the colonies • Friend of Ben Franklin • In January 1776 Wrote a pamphlet that argued it was “Common Sense” that the binds that tie the colonies to England be broken (between 100,000 and 500,000 copies were sold in a few years, historians disagree on the numbers) • Paine was a wonderful Propagandist

  6. Common Sense • Paine argued • It was contrary to common sense for a large continent to be ruled by a small distant island and for people to pledge allegiance to a king whose government was corrupt and whose laws were unreasonable. • Persuaded thousands of colonists to call for independence

  7. “Common Sense” • “O! ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose not only the tyranny but the tyrant, stand forth! Every spot of the Old World is overrun with oppression. Freedom hath been hunted around the globe. Asia and Africa have long expelled her. Europe regards her as a stranger and England hath given her warning to depart. O! receive the fugitive and prepare in time an asylum for mankind.”

  8. Independence in Congress • Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, June 7, 1776, introduced a resolution to the Continental Congress, “These United Colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states.” • Delegates debated three weeks • A committee was formed, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Livingston, and Sherman • Jefferson was asked to write the document • Took two weeks

  9. Thomas Jefferson Wrote the Declaration of Independence With a committee from the 2nd Continental Congress, Franklin, Adams, Sherman,

  10. Independence Declared July 4, 1776 • Jefferson included Enlightenment ideas most notably from Locke • “We hold these truths to be self-evident: 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.”

  11. Declaration of Independence, 1776  • Most Americans did not desire independence; proud to be British citizens B. Reasons for shift of loyalty 1. Hiring of Hessians 2. Burning of Falmouth & Norfolk by the British 3. Governor of Virginia promised freedom to slaves who would fight for Britain. • Impact: persuaded many southern elite to join New England in the war effort. • Thomas Paine’s Common Sense (1776) 1. Became an instant best-seller in the colonies; effective propaganda • Main ideas: Britain's colonial policies were inconsistent; independence was the only course

  12. Declaration of Independence • What did the Declaration of Independence say? • How is the Declaration of Independence organized? • What do you have to do?

  13. The Document is divided into four parts: Preamble: announces that the document will explain why the Colonies want to separate from England Political Principles: a section identifies the ideas underlying the rights of the people, John Locke’s ideas Complaints: the document lists the unfair acts perpetrated by the British Government The Declaration: the statement that these 13 colonies are now independent How is the Declaration of Independence organized?

  14. After Reading the Declaration of Independence… • How do we reconcile the issue of contradictions contained within the document? • “All Men Are Created Equal” • And yet our country has denied freedom and liberty and rights for: • Africans • Women • Indians • Poor people

  15. Assignment Read the Declaration of Independence While you read look for the following items: 1.  Find evidence of Enlightenment ideas in the declaration. 2. What reasons do the colonists cite for separating from England? (Name 5) 3. List the complaints of the Colonists. (list 3 of them) 4. Why does Jefferson say the colonists should separate? (See paragraph 4). 5 There are 12 "facts" that Jefferson uses to make his points. Check them and determine if they are fact or opinion. 6. What acts of war do the colonists claim the king has perpetrated?

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