Lesson 10
Common Sense and
the Declaration of Independence
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In January of 1776 an Englishman named Thomas Paine published a small book called Common Sense. The book said all kings in general, especially George III of England, were bad. The book also stated that America must be free to make its own way. This book became a best-seller. It made Americans believe that America should be a free and independent nation. |
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In the spring of 1776 the Second Continental Congress met in a red brick building called the Pennsylvania State House. It was later called Independence Hall. Many leaders wanted America to become a separate and equal nation. Some wanted America to have some self-rule while still being a colony of England. Others were not sure what they wanted.
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| Independence Hall | |
On June 7 the issue came to a head. Richard Henry Lee of Virginia stood and put a resolution before the convention. Lee said they should break completely from England. Many delegates were shocked. They decided to vote of this issue on July 1.
A committee to write a Declaration of Independence from England was set up.The committee was made up of :
John Adams Massachusetts Ben Franklin Pennsylvania Roger Sherman Connecticut Thomas Jefferson Virginia Robert Livingston New York
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Ben Franklin was sick that day and stayed home. The other four men went to visit Franklin at his house. They decided that only one man should write the declaration. The others then would look at it after it was written. Thomas Jefferson was given the job because he was a good writer and he was from the South. Jefferson worked on the Declaration of Independence for three weeks. Others liked what Jefferson had written. On Friday the 28 the declaration was read to the Congress. |
The Virginia resolution to break with England was brought before Congress. The men argued over the words Jefferson had written. By July 4 the delegates were tired and many were afraid there would be a fight. A vote was taken. Some of Jefferson's words were changed before the voting . A statement against slavery was taken out.
The declaration was approved by the Second Continental Congress. Fifty-six men signed the declaration. John Hancock was the first to sign.
A large bell rang out to tell the people of Philadelphia the good news. The bell was later called the Liberty Bell.
| The Declaration of Independence showed England and other countries that
Americans were determined to become a free nation. If the colonists lost the war, all the
men who signed the declaration would hang. The document was signed in July 1776 in
Philadelphia. It took one year for it to be written.
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About one-third of all Americans stayed loyal to the king and to England. They were called Tories or Loyalists.
