Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense" inspired many colonists to support independence from Britain by arguing for separation, citizen-made laws, and economic and military freedom. In response, the Second Continental Congress created a committee to draft a declaration of independence, which was formally approved on July 4, 1776 and announced the break with Britain. However, not all colonists supported independence, as some remained loyal to Britain while others stayed neutral.

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.