Declaring Independence

Moving Toward Independence

• Colonists believed issues with Britain could not be resolved
• Thomas Paine swayed colonists' opinions with Common Sense, advocating self-rule for the colonies

Congress Debates Independence

• Paine's ideas spread from Georgia to New Hampshire, leading to calls for independence
• The Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia discussed independence
• John Adams of Massachusetts argued independence was essential for liberty
• By June 7, 1776 Richard Henry Lee of Virginia proposed a resolution at the Second Continental Congress declaring the colonies' independence from Britain
• Congress then was charged to write a formal declaration of independence

A Declaration Is Written

• A committee was formed to draft a declaration of independence to present to King George
• Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, a 33-year-old lawyer with knowledge of government, was chosen to write the first draft
• Jefferson, with input from other committee members, spent about 17 days writing and revising the Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence

• Thomas Jefferson outlined necessity of the Declaration of Independence in the preamble
• Jefferson explained why the colonies had the right to separate from Britain and establish a new nation
• The Declaration asserts all people possess rights that governments cannot take away
• It states that people have the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which are foundational to US history

Rights and Grievances

• The Declaration lists grievances against King George III and Parliament
• The Declaration states the colonists had attempted to resolve issues with Britain peacefully
• Jefferson stated that the colonies were free and independent

Congress Approves the Declaration

• Thomas Jefferson presented his draft of the Declaration of Independence to Congress
• Congress discussed, edited, and on July 2, approved Richard Henry Lee's resolution
• This action severed ties with Britain and established the colonies as independent states
• On July 4, 1776, Congress adopted the final text of the Declaration
• On July 8 large crowds gathered outside Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, to hear the first public reading by Colonel John Nixon
• Across the colonies, people celebrated by tearing down statues of King George III, singing, ringing bells, and firing cannons

A Dangerous Decision

• On August 2, the Declaration was ready for signing by the Second Continental Congress members
• John Hancock, President of the Congress, was the first to sign, writing his name large so King George III could read it without his glasses
• Signing the Declaration was dangerous, as King George III would punish the signers for treason (a crime punishable by death) if the Americans lost the war

The Declaration's Importance

• In 1776 only white men who owned property had the right to vote
• Abigail Adams advocated for women's rights, urging Congress to "remember the ladies" in the new code of laws back in March, 1776
• The Declaration of Independence has inspired movements for freedom and equal rights worldwide despite the fact that it would take many years for women, African Americans, and Native Americans to be included

Forming a New Government

• The Second Continental Congress began setting up another committee to unite the 13 states
• John Dickinson was chosen to head the committee, deciding that each state would govern itself, but would work together on national issues
• The Articles of Confederation was the first American plan of government
• It marked a major departure from being ruled by a king

The Articles of Confederation

• In 1777 Congress approved The Articles of Confederation
• In a national legislature (Confederation Congress) each state had elected representatives
• Each state had one vote in Congress, regardless of size
• This Congress made laws for the new nation until 1789 and helped keep the states together during the Revolutionary War
• The Articles had weaknesses that caused problems for the new government

Weaknesses of the Articles

• After fighting for independence, Americans feared a strong national government might threaten their freedom
• The Articles of Confederation left most power with the states
• Before Congress could pass a law, representatives from at least 9 of the 13 states had to approve
• The representatives rarely agreed, as each state did not want to be under the control of other states
• Even if the representatives approved a law, Congress did not have the power to enforce it
• The Articles limited the powers of the national government

Limitations of the Articles

• The Articles gave Congress the power to declare war, make treaties, and borrow money
• The Articles did NOT allow Congress to control trade or collect taxes
• Congress could only request money from the states to cover expenses like war debts
• The Articles also made Congress dependent on the states for national defense
• Congress could request an army, but the states had to provide the soldiers