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"Common Sense" was published
It was a 50 page panphlet published in Philadelphia. The book told why the colonist should declare independence.
The author, Thomas Paine, called King George III a "royal brute". He also thought the colonists would be better off governing themselves, not by someone way across the ocean. Paine's extremly persuasive pamphlet inspired colonist everywhere. Some 500,000 copies were sold. -
Viginia's Resolution
Thomas Paine's pamphlet made more and more of the Contenential Congress want to support independence. In May 1776, Virginia told its delagates to vote, or support, independance. Not long after that, Richard Henry Lee introduce a resolution to the Contenentila Congress. The Virginia Resolution said "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States. -
Retreat from New York
In mid 1776, serious fighting moved from New England to the Middle States. There, the Contenential Army suffered through the worst of the war.
In June 1776, right about the time the Congress was deciding whether or not to declare independence, a large British army arrived off New York. Washington expected this attack, he had already moved his militia to Long Island. However, their puny militia was no match for Britains 36,000 soldiers. Washington and his army retreat. -
Signing of the Declaration of Independence
When Congress met to argue Lee's solution, the Congress was still unsure that they would even declare independence. But on July 4, 1776, Congress approved the Declaration of Independence.
The actual signing of the Declaration took on August 2, 1776. Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, and many other signed. Although all they did was sign a paper, the risk was huge. if any one of the signers were caught by the British soldiers, they could be hanged. -
Crossing the Delaware
On Christmas night, George Washington led 2,400 men across th Delaware river in puny boats. All the soldiers pressed in together, because the freezing mist from the water froze on their faces. Some soldiers tied bags and sacks around their feet, to prevent frostbite. On December 26, the 2 troops attacked Trenton from either side and achiving surprise. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was beginning to be talked about in 1782. Parliment voted for peace, although King George III wanted to keep fighting. The talks led to an agreement. Britain recognized America as its own country, but Flordia was returned to Spain. On April 15, 1783, Congress approved this treaty.
