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Colonists Divided
When the year 1776 began, few colinists could predict what would happen later on. They just wanted peace and no more quarrel with Britain. Both Loyalists and Patriots were in a minority and the start of 1776. Even within the Continental Congres, support of independence was limited to about onme third of the delegates. It was very hard to win others to be into the idea of independece. -
Common Sense
Thomas Paine did not like kings, in fact he rediculed the very idea of them. He called them "royal brutes". In his opinion, he thought that Americans were far better off if they goverened themselves. So in January of 1776, he wrote a 50 page pamphlet called 'Common Sense' that was first published in Philadelphia. This pamphlet stimulated broad support for independence. The stong ogaic and pwerful words in Common Sense inspired perople in all the colonies. -
Virginia's Resolution
Paine's pamphlet even increased support of independece within the Continental Congress! Virginia authorized it's delegates to also support it. Soon after, Ricahrd Henry Lee introduced a resolution to Congress.It proclaimed that "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independant States." -
The Declaration of Independence
Jefferson struggled to find words that could convince Americans and the world of the rights of independence. John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, who were also in the community, suggested minor changes. Together, they wrote something called Declaration of Independence. Based on the ideas on Enlightenment, it explains why colonists would want to break out of British rule. It had lots of different sections with great reasoning. Everything in it was brilliant. It ended with a solemn pledge to British. -
It is approved!
When congress met to debate over Lee's resolution, it still was not certain they would finally declare independence. But on July 4, Congress approved the Declaration of Independence! This is why all Americans celebrate this day known as Independence Day. Since then, the Declaration of Independence has become one of the world's most enduring documents. The statement "all men are created equal" that was in it still inspires people around the world. -
Signing the Declaration of Independence
Thisis the date when the Decleration of Independence was actually signed. According to tradition, as he stepped up to sign the document, Benjamin commented "Wemust all hang together, or most assuredly we must all hang seperately. He said this because if the men who signed this got caught by the British, they could be hanged by them! This document has changed the nature of the revolution. No longer were patriots fighting for better treatment from Britain. Now, they were creating a new nation!
