1. Chapter 3, Section 2
Declaring Independence

2. Paine’s Common Sense
• In January of 1776, Thomas Paine,
published a 47-page
pamphlet entitled Common Sense.
– Common Sense inspired
American colonists to challenge
British authority.
duh

3. Paine’s Common Sense
• Common Sense:
– Urged separation from Great Britain
– Argued that citizens, not monarchs, should
make laws
– Argued for economic freedom and
the right to military self-defense
– Cried out against tyranny, the
abuse of government power
– Reached a wide audience, selling some
500,000 copies

4. Paine’s Common Sense
• Main Idea 1:
– Thomas Paine’s Common Sense led many
colonists to support independence.
duh

5. Independence for Colonies
• Many colonial leaders
Brilliant! agreed with Thomas
Paine’s ideas in
Common Sense.
• The Second
Continental Congress
created a committee in
June 1776 to write a
document declaring
independence

6. Independence for Colonies
• The Declaration of
Independence formally
announced the break
with Great Britain
– Tomas Jefferson
was the main
author
– It was officially approved
on July 4, 1776

7. "Yes, we must, indeed, all hang together, or most
assuredly we shall all hang separately.“ – Ben Franklin

10. Independence for Colonies
• The Declaration ignored many colonists
– Did not address the rights of women
– Did not recognize the rights of enslaved
African Americans

11. Independence for Colonies
• Patriots were colonials who chose to fight
for independence.
– About 40 to 45 percent of Americans were
Patriots

12. Independence for Colonies
• Loyalists, sometimes called Tories, were
colonials who remained loyal to Britain.
– About 20 to 30 percent of Americans were
Loyalists.
• About 20-25 percent of
colonials remained neutral.

13. Independence for Colonies
• Main Idea 2:
Colonists had differing reactions to the
Declaration of Independence.