Declaration of Independence

• Colonists began to believe that issues with Britain were unresolvable.
• Thomas Paine's Common Sense influenced colonists towards self-governance.

Congress Debates

• Inspired by Paine's ideas, people from Georgia to New Hampshire advocated for independence, or self-governance.
• The Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia discussed independence.
• John Adams of Massachusetts strongly supported independence as the path to liberty for the colonies.
• On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia proposed that the 13 colonies should no longer pledge loyalty to the king.
• Lee called for a resolution for a formal group statement.
• The resolution stated: "Resolved: That these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states."

Declaration Writing

• Congress debated Lee's resolution and formed a committee to write a declaration, an official statement about independence for the king.
• Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, a 33-year-old lawyer, was asked to write the first draft, aided by his knowledge of law and government.
• Jefferson was the main author, but other committee members contributed ideas.
• He spent about 17 days writing and revising the Declaration of Independence.

Independence Declaration

• Thomas Jefferson carefully planned the Declaration of Independence.
• The preamble explained the necessity of the Declaration.
• It stated the colonies' right to separate from Britain.
• The next part describes the colonists' core beliefs about government.
• It declared the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness which governments cannot take away.
• The longest part of the Declaration lists the colonists' grievances, or complaints, against King George III and Parliament.
• It also mentions the colonists' attempts to resolve issues with Britain peacefully.
• The Declaration concludes with the statement that the colonies were free and independent.

Approving the Declaration

• After completing the draft, Thomas Jefferson submitted the Declaration of Independence to Congress.
• On June 28, Congress read it aloud to the delegates.
• On July 2, the delegates voted in favor of Richard Henry Lee's resolution to sever ties with Britain, and the colonies considered themselves independent states.
• On July 4, 1776, Congress adopted the final wording of the Declaration.
• Four days later, on July 8, large crowds gathered outside the Pennsylvania State House, later known as Independence Hall, for the first public reading by Colonel John Nixon.
• News spread, leading supporters to tear down symbols of King George III and celebrate with songs, bells, and cannons.
• John Adams rejoiced in these celebrations and foresaw Independence Day being celebrated "by succeeding generations... from this time forward."

A Dangerous Choice

• On August 2, the Declaration was ready for signing by the members of the Second Continental Congress.
• John Hancock, Congress's president, was the first to sign, writing his name large so King George III could read it, thereby popularizing "John Hancock" as a synonym for "signature."
• Signing was perilous as King George III vowed against the rebellion, thus losing would mean the signers faced treason charges, punishable by death.
• Benjamin Franklin joked, "We must all hang together, or… we shall all hang separately," stressing the need for unity against the British.

Importance Declared

• In 1776, only white men with property could vote.
• Abigail Adams advocated for women's rights to be recognized by Congress.
• Full realization of the Declaration's promise would take years for women, African Americans, and Native Americans.
• The Declaration has inspired movements worldwide for freedom and equal rights.

Forming Government

• The Second Continental Congress formed another committee to unite the 13 states.
• John Dickinson was chosen to lead the committee to unite the 13 states.
• Each of the 13 states would govern itself, but collaborate on national matters.
• The Articles of Confederation, the first government plan for the United States, marked a shift from being ruled by a king.

Articles Explained

• The Articles of Confederation were approved by Congress in 1777 and the states later.
• Under the Articles, each state chose representatives for a national legislature which was called the Confederation Congress.
• Each state had one vote in Congress, regardless of size.
• Until 1789, this Congress made laws for the new nation and helped maintain unity during the Revolutionary War.
• The Articles had weaknesses that caused problems for the new government.

Deficiencies Noted

• Americans feared a strong central government due to their fight for independence so, the Articles of Confederation gave more power to the states.
• Laws required approval from representatives of at least 9 of the 13 states which were rare.
• States were unwilling to cede control to other states.
• Congress lacked the power to enforce approved laws.
• The Articles limited the national government's powers like controlling trade or levying taxes, while permitting it to declare war, make treaties, and borrow money.
• To cover war debts and other expenses, Congress relied on states for money but could not compel them to pay.
• The Articles made Congress dependent on the states for national defense; Congress could request an army, but the states had to supply the soldiers.

Summary Points

• Colonists called for independence due to Thomas Paine's Common Sense.
• Thomas Jefferson was tasked with writing the Declaration of Independence.
• Congress later adopted the Articles of Confederation, the first government plan.