1. U.S. History Chapter 7: The American Revolution Section 2: Declaring Independence

4. Common Sense “ I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense . . ."

5. Common Sense “ I have heard it asserted that as America hath flourished under her former connection with Great Britain, the same connection is necessary towards her future happiness, and will always have the same effect. Nothing can be more fallacious than this kind of argument…”

6. Common Sense “ But Britain is the parent country, say some. Then the more shame upon her conduct. Even brutes do not devour their young, nor savages make war upon their families…”

7. Common Sense “ Nothing but independence…can keep the peace of the continent…A government of our own is our natural right: and when a man seriously reflects on the precariousness of human affairs, he will become convinced that it is infinitely wiser and safer, to form a constitution of our own in a cool deliberate manner, while we have it in our power…”

9. Declaring Independence June 10, 1776: Congress appoints a committee to draft a statement of independence

11. Thomas Jefferson Virginia

12. Roger Sherman Connecticut

13. Benjamin Franklin Pennsylvania

14. Robert Livingston New York

15. John Adams Massachusetts

18. Declaring Independence “ The 2 nd day of July 1776 will be the most memorable in the epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival…with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other…” --John Adams, in a letter to Abigail Adams

24. Other Reactions to the Declaration “… all men are created equal…”