Chapter 4
Section 3: Ideas
Behind the
Revolution
Common Sense
•Pamphlet written by
Thomas Paine
•January 1776
•Persuaded many people
to support a complete
break from Britain
The Declaration of
Independence
•Second Continental
Congress met in
Philadelphia May 1775
•The Delegates
–Deeply divided
–Sam & John Adams,
Patrick Henry, & Richard
Henry Lee leaned
towards independence
–John Dickinson favored
a compromised to
increase self rule
•
Olive Branch
Petition
– Rejected by King in Nov.
–Expressed the colonists’
continued loyalty &
begged the king to halt
the fighting
•June- Committee to
prepare the
Declaration
–Jefferson, John
Adams, Roger
Sherman, Robert
Livingston, & Franklin
Drafting a Declaration
•Influenced by the
Enlightenment
–Emphasized science &
reason to improve
society
•Ideas of John Locke
Parts of the Declaration
•4 sections
–Preamble- Introduction
–Declaration of rights
•Natural rights
(unalienable rights)
–Can’t be taken away
–People form
governments to protect
their natural rights
•People have the right to
revolt & replace their
government
•Consent of the governed
–List of complaints against
the King
•Complaints/ grievances
–Rule of law
–Resolution of independence
The Declaration is
Adopted
•Ratified July 4, 1776
“Remember the Ladies”
•Abigail Adams pleaded
with her husband to give
women more rights
–Also thought slavery
should be addressed by
Congress