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Decision to be Free. Delegates from New England and the southern colonies were for independence Middle colonies were divided New Englanders – angriest Occupied by British troops Southern delegates Strongly for independence – believed mercantilist restrictions drained their wealth.
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Decision to be Free • Delegates from New England and the southern colonies were for independence • Middle colonies were divided • New Englanders – angriest • Occupied by British troops • Southern delegates • Strongly for independence – believed mercantilist restrictions drained their wealth
Southern Colonies • Virginia • Maryland • North Carolina • South Carolina • Georgia
New England • Massachusetts • Rhode Island • New Hampshire • Connecticut
Middle Colonies • Delaware • Pennsylvania • New York • New Jersey
Patrick Henry • “Give me liberty or give me death” • Patriots • Wanted independence • Loyalists (Tories) • Remained loyal to Great Britain
Writing • Committee formed to write a proclamation (June 2, 1776) • Left the writing to Jefferson (excellent writer) • Jefferson wrote the document to win the American people into supporting independence
Vote • July 2, 1776 vote is taken • July 4th Congress formally accepted the Declaration of Independence as the formal statement of their act